Biotechnology has only just begun
When Frank Schirrmacher cleared the pages of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung's arts section on 27 June 2000 to publish the human genome, which had just been deciphered for the first time, letter by letter over six pages, biotechnology came to the attention of the general public for the first time.
Genetic scissors for the future – soon in Switzerland too?
Genome editing is seen as a promising way to make agriculture more sustainable and climate-resilient. But Switzerland is hesitant to approve it. A popular initiative even wants to ban it. But what can CRISPR really do?
Vegan alternatives thanks to genetic engineering
How can we feed a growing global population in a sustainable way? The answer increasingly lies in laboratories and genetic engineering. Whether it's lab-grown milk, vegan squid or farmed salmon – genetic engineering is everywhere. It's high time to dispel the old myths.
Myths & Facts
swiss-food stands for fact-based information. Important facts are explained here in an understandable way.
To the myths and factsFrom the media
Genetic scissors for the future – soon in Switzerland too?
Genome editing is seen as a promising way to make agriculture more sustainable and climate-resilient. But Switzerland is hesitant to approve it. A popular initiative even wants to ban it. But what can CRISPR really do?
Less than 50 percent: How Switzerland is squandering its self-sufficiency
Swiss agriculture is under enormous pressure. Extreme weather conditions, pests and increasingly stringent regulations are putting producers under strain. As a result, self-sufficiency is falling dramatically, especially for plant-based foods. To ensure food security in Switzerland, effective plant protection products are urgently needed.
Only half the truth in the genetic engineering debate
Those who only see the risks remain blind to the opportunities offered by a new technology. Opponents of genetic engineering have presented a new survey on new breeding methods, which reveals some telling gaps.
«The FOAG is abandoning productive agriculture»
Increasing pests, missing tools, growing bureaucracy – the farmers' criticism of the federal government is loud and clear. Swiss agriculture is at its limit, reports Blick. The demand: effective plant protection products are urgently needed again.
Knowledge
‘No genetic engineering’ is simply not an option!
For years, politicians and environmental organisations have been stirring up unnecessary fears about a technology that has been helping to conserve resources and protect the environment for decades, while improving the quality and tolerability of food and cosmetics. It is time to put an end to this consumer deception.
«The protection of cultures is no longer guaranteed»
Swiss agriculture is in a tight spot when it comes to crop protection. At the Swiss-Food Talk on July 1, 2025, three producer representatives described how bans, the lack of alternatives, and lengthy approval procedures are putting pressure on their crops.
Chasing Misinformation Feels Like Herding Cats
Science fiction has a way of masquerading as science fact — until someone like me comes with a bucket of cold, hard evidence. But let’s be real: debunking nonsense takes exponentially more effort than producing it. Jonathan Swift knew it in 1710, and here I am, centuries later, still speaking my truth before the next viral misinformation dumpster fire.
Climate protection must not jeopardise food security
Agriculture is increasingly under pressure to become climate-neutral. But how can this be achieved without jeopardising food security? In the agricultural policy podcast, Hannah von Ballmoos-Hofer, head of the energy division at the Swiss Farmers' Union, emphasises that climate protection is important, but must not come at the expense of food security.
Green biotech: safety concerns no longer hold water
At the end of October, swiss-food.ch hosted a film screening and panel discussion in Zurich on the subject of genome editing entitled “Between Protest and Potential”. The well-attended event dealt with the emotional debates in recent decades surrounding genetic engineering. The event showed that the situation has changed fundamentally.
Audio & Video
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To the podcasts and videosPolitics
Faster Approval of Crop Protection Products Long Overdue
Switzerland is busy banning active substances that have also been withdrawn from the EU market. But in the other direction, it is dragging its feet: modern products that are already approved in neighboring countries remain blocked here. That could finally change now. The Economic Affairs and Taxation Committee of the National Council has adopted a corresponding proposal.
Differing perceptions
While the increasing administrative burden is perceived as the main concern in the economy, parts of the population see it differently. Meanwhile, regulations are repeatedly misused as a means of exerting power in the competitive struggle – to the detriment of SMEs.
Domestic production as a blind spot
Switzerland's food security is increasingly under pressure: last year's disastrous wheat and potato harvests have led to an increasing dependence on imports. However, the report by the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) is largely silent on the precarious state of the domestic agricultural sector. The IG BauernUnternehmen (Farmers' Company) has therefore sharply criticised the federal government.
PFAS regulation in Switzerland: Not faster, but better
Some people also call PFAS ‘forever chemicals’. Their use must be regulated as wisely as possible. To do this, the federal government first needs to do precise groundwork, according to Stefan Brupbacher, Urs Furrer and Stephan Mumenthaler.
Blindspot
Blindspot articles are marked with a small spotlight and illuminate the «blind spots» in the agricultural policy debate.
To the Blindspot articlesResearch
Research into fungal diseases in Lyon
Fungal diseases are one of the greatest threats to global food production. They endanger crops, cause billions in damage every year and have always put farmers under pressure. A detailed report by RTS provides insights into Bayer's global research and development centre in Lyon, where new, environmentally compatible fungicides are being researched.
Why we need high-tech for tomorrow's agriculture
From genome editing to precision field spraying – innovations can strengthen the agriculture of tomorrow. They help to ensure that agricultural land can be used better. Crops are protected more efficiently. According to a survey by gfs.bern, the Swiss are very open to the use of modern technologies. This also applies to new breeding methods such as genome editing.
Cool thanks to Caribbean genes: the heat-defying calf!
Cows are also suffering from global warming. Hot temperatures have a negative effect on their metabolism. Now, the first solutions are emerging: for example, Strickhof in Lindau is home to one of the first Slick gene cows in the world. These are more heat tolerant than conventional cows and can therefore withstand global warming.
Rapid further development of the genetic scissors
CRISPR-Cas has been used worldwide since 2012 to modify genes in organisms with pinpoint accuracy. With the help of protein engineering and AI algorithms, researchers at the University of Zurich have now developed a new, more compact ‘genetic scissors’. This and similar variants will make it possible to edit genes ever more efficiently.
Gene editing is also revolutionizing biological plant protection
Urs Niggli
Agricultural scientist and president of Agroecology Science
Content in German
'Pure hubris'
Patrick Dümmler
Head of Sustainability and Economic Policy at the Swiss Trade Association
We are bringing up the rear in Europe when it comes to plant protection
David Brugger
Head of Plant Production, Swiss Farmers’ Union
Carte Blanche: Excessive Anti-Alcohol Strategy
Philipp Schwander
Master of Wine, wine expert and entrepreneur
«Plant breeding calls for liberal rules»
Jürg Niklaus
Jürg Niklaus has a doctorate in law and is an advocate of plant breeding.
More pesticides, more genetic engineering: How we are overcoming hunger.
Markus Somm
Journalist, publicist, publisher and historian
«What plant breeding brings us»
Achim Walter
Professor of Crop Science, ETH Zurich
Content in German
Gene editing is also revolutionizing biological plant protection
Urs Niggli
Agricultural scientist and president of Agroecology Science
Content in German
'Pure hubris'
Patrick Dümmler
Head of Sustainability and Economic Policy at the Swiss Trade Association
We are bringing up the rear in Europe when it comes to plant protection
David Brugger
Head of Plant Production, Swiss Farmers’ Union
Carte Blanche: Excessive Anti-Alcohol Strategy
Philipp Schwander
Master of Wine, wine expert and entrepreneur
«Plant breeding calls for liberal rules»
Jürg Niklaus
Jürg Niklaus has a doctorate in law and is an advocate of plant breeding.
More pesticides, more genetic engineering: How we are overcoming hunger.
Markus Somm
Journalist, publicist, publisher and historian
«What plant breeding brings us»
Achim Walter
Professor of Crop Science, ETH Zurich
Content in German