"Genscheren" -schoki must be marked | Nachrichten.at

"Genscheren" -schoki must be tagged

NGOs applaud, disappointed researchers

Bild:

Yesterday's decision of the European Court of Justice on new methods of genetic engineering is dividing the mind. Plants modified with so-called "gene scissors" (mutagenesis) now need to be approved and labeled as previous genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Plants become genetically modified, for example, resistant to pests or pesticides.

The European Court of Justice Franz Leidenmühler sums up the ECJ ruling: "Mutagenesis is genetically modified and must be subject to the rules in force." This is only in the case of long-proven methods (such as plant varieties modified by ionized radiation) that EU countries can choose whether they regulate this strictly or not. Austria, which in any case has always resisted the cultivation of GMOs, must and must therefore apply strict rules in genetic engineering.

Environmental protection organizations and consumer protection agencies provide this clarification. "The verdict is a strong signal for consumers' rights to information," said Iris Strutzmann, AK expert, at OÖN. In the future, for example, foods that have changed according to the new technology must also be labeled with GMOs. On a chocolate bar with "Genscheren-Soya", this product must also contain "This product contains genetically modified organisms."

Researchers and seed breeders are shocked. "The verdict is a victory for global multinationals Pioneer and Monsanto, now Bayer, against European breeders," says Karl Fischer, managing director of Saatbau Linz.

While small-scale seed companies in breeding need to continue to hope for the rest of the world with new methods such as Crispr are working on purpose. According to Josef Glößl, a professor of genetics at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna, Europe would lose its competitiveness in selection. Research companies could finally pull out of Europe, feared. Sustainable agriculture needs new varieties so fewer sprays need to be used, and new methods such as Crispr are important. "A technology discovered and developed in Europe is made impossible by a European court," says Fischer, disappointed.

It is now the turn of the Austrian government. She has up to now been against genetic engineering. Yesterday, Health Minister Beate Hartinger-Klein (FP) spoke surprisingly of a "case by case" review. It looks like a clbadic "backdoor" that you want to keep open …

Show Comments »