Researchers from the University of G??ttingen in Germany and the
University of British Columbia in Vancouver,Canadaexamined how citizens
in five countries react to different applications of genome editing in
agriculture, which applications are accepted, and how the risks and
benefits of the new breeding technologies are assessed.

The results show there are only minor differences in the five countries
of Germany, Italy, Canada, Austria, and the USA. However, in all five
countries, changes in thegenomeof crops are more accepted than
livestock. Between June and November 2019, 3,700 people from five
countries participated in the online survey about this topic. Five
different application examples of gene editing were analyzed. Three
applications relate to disease resistance in the three species human,
plant, animal; two applications relate to different goals for the same
species (change in product quality or quantity in cattle).

According to Dr. Gesa Busch from the University of G??ttingen, the
purpose of gene modification plays a major role in the assessment. Dr.
Busch said, "If the technology is used to make animals resistant to
diseases, approval is greater than if the technology is used to increase
the performance of the animals." Overall, however, the respondents
reacted very differently to the use of the new breeding method. Four
different groups can be identified: strong supporters, supporters,
neutrals, and disapprovers of the technology. Those who are strongly in
favor of the technology (21 percent) see few risks and many advantages.
However, the group who opposes it (24 percent) perceive strong risks and
advocate a ban on the technology, regardless of the potential benefits.

Presseinformationen - Georg-August-Universit?¤t G??ttingen
(uni-goettingen.de) [www.uni-goettingen.de]