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.
Catastrophic wheat harvest: Bad weather and restrictions on crop protection
The reports are piling up: 2024 will go down in history as the worst wheat harvest in decades. One of Switzerland's largest grain collection centres in Thalheim an der Thur suffers a historic loss.
«Patents on technically produced plant traits make perfect sense»
Scienceindustries is sceptical about the federal government's plans to set up a clearing house for plant patents. The chosen approach is problematic and leads to legal uncertainty and additional work for patent holders. This is a shame, because Switzerland is actually the world patent champion.
«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
«The fear of genetically modified plants is unwarranted»
Anke Fossgreen
Head of Knowledge Team Tamedia
«Politicians must avoid pushing prices up even more»
Babette Sigg Frank
President of the Swiss Consumer Forum (KF)
Seizing the opportunity of green biotechnology
Roman Mazzotta
Country President Syngenta Switzerland
«One-third organic farming does not solve the problem»
Olaf Deininger
Development Editor-in-Chief Agrar-Medien
«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
«The fear of genetically modified plants is unwarranted»
Anke Fossgreen
Head of Knowledge Team Tamedia
«Politicians must avoid pushing prices up even more»
Babette Sigg Frank
President of the Swiss Consumer Forum (KF)
Seizing the opportunity of green biotechnology
Roman Mazzotta
Country President Syngenta Switzerland
«One-third organic farming does not solve the problem»
Olaf Deininger
Development Editor-in-Chief Agrar-Medien
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
Imports instead of regionality: tomato virus destroys domestic production
Although tomatoes and peppers are among the most popular vegetables in Switzerland, most of them are imported. Extreme weather conditions and diseases are to blame. The first companies have already developed resistant tomato varieties – but the federal government remains sceptical of new technologies.
Catastrophic wheat harvest: Bad weather and restrictions on crop protection
The reports are piling up: 2024 will go down in history as the worst wheat harvest in decades. One of Switzerland's largest grain collection centres in Thalheim an der Thur suffers a historic loss.
« The Bernese winegrowers spray and spray »
Der viele Regen diesen Sommer hat den Berner Winzern zugesetzt und einmal mehr klar gemacht, dass es ohne Pflanzenschutz nicht geht – schon gar nicht in schwierigen Anbaujahren. Dass auch pilzwiderstandsfähige Sorten von Ernteverlusten betroffen sind, zeigt, wie prekär die Lage ist. Nichtsdestotrotz zaudert der Bund, wenn es um die Zulassung moderner Pflanzenschutzmittel und neuer Züchtungstechnologien geht.
Why jellyfish could soon end up on our plates
Will jellyfish become the new star in the superfood sky? Experts recommend eating them and rave about the slippery sea creatures as a new source of protein. However, such products have yet to be authorised.
Knowledge
How can biodiversity be protected effectively?
Biodiversity is essential to life. And it is currently a very topical issue. The obligation to set aside areas of Swiss farmland for biodiversity promotion has clearly not achieved the desired objectives. Recently published studies indicate that species diversity remains under pressure. This is what prompted swiss-food, in the latest of its series of talks with three established experts, to focus on the tensions between biodiversity and agriculture and to shed some light on the reasons for these.
Why AI has not yet had its breakthrough in agriculture
Artificial intelligence is gaining ground in many areas. However, the new technology does not yet seem to have really arrived in agriculture. The reason for this is nature, which is throwing a spanner in the works of AI. Nevertheless, the opportunities that AI could offer agriculture are immense.
Nutrition: Does the future belong to the green gene scissors?
New plant varieties contribute to security of supply. The new breeding methods known as "gene scissors", such as Crispr, have the potential to revolutionise agriculture and nutrition.
Regional products are more in demand than ever
The demand for regional products could hardly be greater. This is shown by a new study by the Zurich School of Business. Consumers even consider regional products to be significantly more sustainable than organic or premium products. To keep up with this trend, it is therefore all the more important to promote modern breeding techniques and plant protection products.
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
swiss-food has a large selection of exciting videos and podcasts on the topics of food, agriculture and research.
To the podcasts and videosPolitics
In plant breeding the music plays elsewhere
Switzerland is a centre of innovation, but unfortunately this promise has not yet been kept when it comes to the more modern methods of plant breeding. Openness would be a good thing for innovative Switzerland here too.
Enabling what is inevitable
The opponents of progress are once again in the starting blocks. In mid-April, critics of genetic engineering announced a popular initiative aimed at making any relaxation of the existing moratorium on genetic engineering impossible. The exact wording is not yet known, but the statements made by the exponents make it clear that the total blockade on modern plant breeding is to be enshrined in the constitution.
EU decision in favour of new breeding methods with stumbling blocks
On 7 February, the EU Parliament voted in favour of approving the new genomic breeding methods in the EU. MEPs voted in favour of a corresponding proposal by 307 votes to 263 with 41 abstentions. Further deliberations will now follow.
Authorisation of new crop protection products: federal government hesitates, parliament exerts pressure
In Switzerland, the authorisation of new crop protection products is stalling. And there is a disturbing asymmetry. The federal government immediately withdraws authorisations for crop protection products that the EU takes off the market.
Blindspot
Blindspot articles are marked with a small spotlight and illuminate the «blind spots» in the agricultural policy debate.
To the Blindspot articlesResearch
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.
Using Crispr to combat climate change
In the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna talks about the opportunities and risks of gene scissors. The tool can be used to specifically treat hereditary diseases, breed drought-tolerant plants and reduce greenhouse gas emis-sions from cows.
Anxious sweat as a cry for help
Plants live dangerously. They are surrounded by predators. But they are not completely at their mercy. Decades of research have shown this. For example, plants emit odours when attacked. This realisation could lead to new strategies for plant protection. However, it is still uncertain whether this will ever lead to a widely used product.
It pays to take a closer look
Pesticides are to blame for an increase in brain tumours in children in the Zürcher Weinland and the Bernese Seeland, according to a study carried out three years ago. Experts commissioned by the federal government have now come to a different conclusion: the results could also have been accidental.