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Genome editing: scientific opportunities, public interests and policy options in the European Union

New molecular biologic methods for targeted genome modification in humans, plants, animals and microbes – so-called "genome editing" – are challenges for policy-making and science. A new report by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) provides advice in this regard.

EASAC report "Genome editing: scientific opportunities, public interests and policy options in the European Union"
Image: European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC)

To the attention of policy-making, the report emphasises that it is necessary to ensure that the potential regulation of applications is evidence-based, taking into account likely benefits and hypothetical risks, as well as to react proportionate and sufficiently flexible to cope with future advances in the science. The policy and science communities are further urged to intensify their dialogue with the public on societal implications of important research advances with a view to confidence building.

As a member, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences support the scientific policy advisory work of EASAC by delegating scientific experts. In the present case, Bruno Studer, professor for Molecular Plant Breeding at the ETH Zurich and a member of the Forum for Genetic Research of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT), was part of the EASAC team of authors.

Edition / Volume: EASAC Policy Report, 31
Pages: vi, 34p.
Standard identifier: 978-3-8047-3727-3

Categories

  • Gene technology
  • Genome editing
English