Fairground, Forum, Level 0, Discussion Corner
Monday, 11 May 2009, 11:00 to 12:30 a.m.
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The current developments, opportunities and risks of genetic engineering for agriculture and of renewable resources are discussed by
Sigmar Gabriel,
German Federal Environment Minister, Berlin
Philip von dem Bussche,
Chairman of the Board of KWS Saat AG, Einbeck
Dr. Stefan Marcinowski,
Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen
Heike Moldenhauer,
Expert in Genetic Engineering, BUND, Berlin
Prof. Dr. Lothar Willmitzer,
Director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Golm
Dr. Kurt Wagemann (Moderation),
Deputy Officer of DECHEMA e.V., Frankfurt
Two of the main challenges of the 21st century are to protect the climate and to ensure the supply of energy and resources. Large opportunities are perceived to lie in renewable resources. Even today they are not only used as energy sources and fuel, but also as resources for the chemical industry, as additives in paper and textile production or as construction and insulation material.
Problems related to the use of renewable resources are due to the poor yield stability, overall yield and product quality. Genetic engineering for agricultrure promises relief: It is supposed to enable higher yields, make the plants more resistant against diseases and pests, provide them with enhanced tolerance towards herbicides and stress factors such as freeze, aridity or salt, or to modify their ingredients (for example the composition of amino acids or the modification of starch) in order to increase product quality. By increasing yields per area and using acreage that are not suited for food production due to climate of quality of soil, the problem of competition with food production should be reduced.
Still, there are many open questions: What are the risks for ecosystems when genetically engineered plants are introduced? Could the introduction of a gene in a plant lead to unwanted metabolic products that might even be harmful to humans or the environment? Can the patenting and the exclusive distribution of genetically engineered seeds lead to a dependency of farmers from certain seed producers?
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