New genomic techniques, old divides: Stakeholder attitudes towards new biotechnology regulation in the EU and UK

Abstract

The European Union and United Kingdom are in the process of establishing new regulation regarding the use of new genomic techniques in crop and animal breeding. As part of this process, consultations have been launched to understand the views of stakeholders towards the use of new genomic techniques in plant and animal breeding. The responsible research and innovation framework emphasises the importance of dialogue between technology developers and stakeholders, including the public, but what are the opinions of stakeholders towards the regulation of NGTs in Europe and do they view these consultations as opportunities to engage with technology governance? We conducted semi-structured interviews with experts from a range of agri-food stakeholder groups in the European Union and United Kingdom to understand current attitudes towards new biotechnology regulation, how they viewed the process of consultation in both places and what influence they felt they had in shaping regulations. We found that the discussion is similar in both EU and UK, with predictable and fixed opinions determined by attitudes towards the perceived risks associated with direct mutagenesis. Both UK and EU consultations were considered to have the same weaknesses and stakeholders discussed a desire for more dialogic forms of engagement. We highlight several options for new forms of involvement in biotechnology regulation by exploring relevant responsible research and innovation literature.

Use of Biostimulants in Energy Crops as a New Approach for the Improvement of Performance Sequestration CO2

“…To achieve more efficient growth of energy crops, it is crucial to enhance the photosynthetic rate and develop resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the European Union, genetic engineering methods are still not as intensively developed and applied as in other parts of the world [90,91]. The efficient production of energy crops provides a source of energy while simultaneously reducing net CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere.…”