11. maj 2023
New genomic techniques (NGT), including those based on CRISPR, represent a potentially efficient tool for rapidly developing more climate resistant and sustainable crops and contributing to the green transition of our agri-food system.
This lecture will give some insights into NGTs, perspectives on the potential of NGTs for development of new adapted plants, and ethical considerations on their use, or not doing so.
Estimates suggest that by 2050, the world population will reach over 9 billion, putting immense pressure on our already strained food systems. This challenge is further exacerbated by climate change, increasing water scarcity, and the degradation of arable soil. To ensure nutritious and sufficient food for all, we must address this challenge by finding and implementing sustainable solutions to increase food production while remaining within the planetary boundaries.
One of such solutions may be new genomic techniques (NGT) – including those based on CRISPR – a potentially efficient tool for rapidly developing more climate resistant and sustainable crops with bigger yields, contributing to the green transition of our agri-food system.
Although NGT based plants represent just one among many tools for the needed transformation, omitting to use this tool may not be an option. The European Commission is soon expected to propose an update to the current framework regulating plants produced by NGTs. Specifically, plants genetically modified in a way that makes them undiscernible from plants bred through conventional methods are in scope. The acceptance of the proposed update by the different EU member states is not a given in light of the strong GMO debates of the past. However, the crises we are currently facing, including climate, war in Europe, and food security, leave us to ask whether we can allow for any potential solution to be left out of the toolbox.
This lecture will give some insights into NGTs, perspectives on the potential of NGTs for development of new adapted plants, and ethical considerations on their use, or not doing so.
The lecture is free and open for all interested.
Member of The Danish Council of Ethics & Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO), University of Copenhagen
Professor, Head of Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
Director, TystofteFoundation
The Science Cluster Lectures is a series of open lectures for all researchers and others interested in bioscience, biotechnology and health. Every 4 weeks, on Thursday evenings, you are invited for lectures on themes with a general interest for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Centers and bioscience researchers in general. Often there will be a cross-disciplinary focus.
This will be a hybrid lecture with the possibility of attending both virtually and physically. Please note that we have a limited capacity for how many we allow to participate physically, and seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Yes. We take oral questions from physical audience and written questions from virtual participants.
You are very welcome to join the ‘Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster’s Linkedin and/or Facebook group. There you will find information about upcoming lectures, and much more.
If you arrive by car, you can park for free in front or at the side of Tuborg Havnevej 19. If that is full, there is 3 hours free parking in the parking to the Waterfront shopping mall at the end of the road. Public transport by train to Hellerup station, and/or bus (1A, 21, 166), nearest by bus stop is Tuborg Boulevard.
Contact Johan Jansen at [email protected]
Please help us respecting our speakers, as well as keeping track of the numbers and optimize lecture and catering to the audience by cancelling as soon as you know that you exceptionally will not be able to make it. You can either cancel through Conference Manager or send an email to Johan Jansen at [email protected]
Yes, just log in to Conference Manager. Please use this option also in the unlikely event that you need to cancel your registration.
No, you do not have to bring your ticket, but registration is mandatory for participation. You will find a tag with your name on it when you arrive.
