Viewpoint: Facing booming global population and a warming climate, the EU’s ban on gene editing farm solutions is ‘as irrational as it is absurd’

Credit: GM Watch
Credit: GM Watch

In an article published [recently] in Nature, the chairmen of an international association of experts called the Scientific Group warn: “…The world’s food system needs a reorganization: Politically, institutionally, socially, economically and technologically.”

The last word in particular hides a dilemma for large parts of the German political landscape. Because [it] is already very clear in the article: Only with small organic farms and organic farming you will not solve the food problem of mankind.

The recommendations are about avoiding food waste, supplementing social programs with healthier nutrition, renewable energies in agriculture and the food industry, sustainable packaging and the digitization of agricultural economics. But also about irritating topics such as “nanomaterials or edible coatings that keep food fresher longer”. And it also says: “Genetic engineering and biotechnology should be used to increase the productivity, quality and resistance of crops to pests and droughts.”

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Using the gene scissors CRISPR to make a targeted cut at a point that is promising in terms of useful mutations – this is currently prohibited in Europe. That is as irrational as it is absurd. [It is proof of] success of decades of fear campaigns against “genetically modified” food.

[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in German and has been translated and edited for clarity.]

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here.

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

Screenshot-2026-04-20-at-2.26.27-PM
Viewpoint — Food-fear world: The latest activist scientists campaign: Cancer-causing additives
Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-12.14.04-PM
The FDA wants to make many popular prescription drugs OTC—a great idea. Here’s why it’s unlikely to happen
ChatGPT-Image-May-1-2026-02_20_13-PM
How RFK, Jr.’s false vaccine claims are holding up $600 million to fight diseases in poor countries
Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-11.56.24-AM
‘Science moves forward when people are willing to think differently’: Memories of DNA maverick Craig Venter
Screenshot-2026-04-03-at-11.15.51-AM
Paraben panic: How a flawed study, media hype, and chemophobia convinced the public of the danger of one of the safest classes of preservatives
viva-la-vida-watermelons
Misinformation and climate change are endangering summer watermelons
Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-2.19.37-PM
5 myths about summer dehydration that could damage your health — or even kill you
ChatGPT-Image-Mar-27-2026-11_27_05-AM
The myths of “process”: What science says about the “dangers’ of synthetic products and ultra-processed foods
ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpoint—“Miracle molecule” debunked: Why acemannan supplements don’t work
Drinking lots of water can help reduce the effects of aging
Nanoplastics in drinking water: MAHA activists forge science-based bipartisan coalition 
Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-12.54.32-PM
How Utah became the country’s supplement capital  — and a haven for unregulated, ineffective and fake products
circular-bioeconomy-should-focus-on-sustainable-wellbeing
GLP podcast: What's wrong with 'doomsday' environmentalism? It's false.

Sorry. No data so far.

glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.