The use of new genomic techniques such as CRISPR-Cas in plant breeding has great potential, but - like all new technologies - also raises concerns. Questions about feasibility, benefits, risks, acceptance and regulatory framework conditions are currently occupying society and politicians. In view of the upcoming consultation on the implementation of Art. 37a para. 2 of the Gene Technology Act, a dialog event is being held at which important stakeholders in this debate can meet and exchange views.
Engage, a dialogue platform supported by Agroscope and various institutions in the ETH Domain, is organizing this event. Engage has set itself the goal of facilitating an objective and evidence-informed dialog on complex social challenges.  The aim of this workshop is therefore to enable an open and transparent debate on trade-offs in the regulation and application of new genomic techniques.
After a general introduction to the topic, participants will be given an insight into various practical examples of plants that have been genetically modified using new genomic techniques. Based on these examples, the approximately 30 expected stakeholders and representatives of Engage will discuss different approaches to regulation and their interactions with important elements such as benefits, risks, traceability and acceptance.

Event details and registrationThe dialog event will take place on Friday, June 21, 2024, between 09.00-14.00,on the premises ofAgroscope at the Zurich-Reckenholz site, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich.Please register or deregister via this link by 24 May 2024 at the latest. You will receive a detailed program after registration via the registration form. Please note that you can only access this page via a directly shared link, that this is a personal invitation and that only one representative of an organization is allowed to register at a time.We look forward to your attendance and your input.