Communicating about plant breeding and genome editing in plants: Assessment of European stakeholders, sources, channels and content

Abstract

Genome editing helps to develop plant varieties that address future agricultural challenges such as climate change adaptation, resource efficiency and sustainable productivity. Nevertheless, associated aspects relating, besides others, to the regulation of genome editing, intellectual property rights and potential environmental and health aspects lead to fierce discussions within the European Union. In these discussions, values and moral aspects play a decisive role. To support and set the stage for an open-minded dialogue, the communication

Future‐proofing crop production to meet the societies needs

“…Several articles included in the special issue also address a very crucial but often neglected area of the dialogue between different stakeholder groups to identify what society needs, can afford and its willingness to accept both current and future technologies (Will et al, 2022;Nair et al, 2022;Stetkiewicz et al, 2022) One of the articles in the special issue details a potential roadmap for plant research to future-proof crops, focussing on Europe. .…”

Genome editing for healthy crops: traits, tools and impacts

“…These issues have been extensively discussed by several authors e.g., Strobbe et al. (2023) and Will et al. (2023) .…”

“…Public perceptions and attitudes to the use of GE technologies for producing crops and foods are critical for the introduction of GE produce into food production and supply chains and require clear communication of the benefits and risks. These issues have been extensively discussed by several authors e.g., Strobbe et al (2023) and Will et al (2023).…”

CropBooster‐P: Towards a roadmap for plant research to future‐proof crops in Europe

“…These include aspects such as scientific research, plant breeding technology, food security, climate change and biodiversity, and the interconnections between these topics. The surveys underlined the importance of a dialogue between scientists/researchers and different stakeholder/ societal groups to increase understanding and gain acceptance (Will et al, 2022). Moreover, they showed considerable differences between the various groups in relation to their preferential topics to communicate about in view of crop improvement and the use of modern breeding technologies.…”