Utilisation of New Genome Editing Techniques in Finland
Wessberg, Nina; Lehtinen, Santtu; Ritala, Anneli; Häkkinen, Suvi T.; Vilkki, Johanna; Schulman, Alan; Laine, Jussi; Korhonen, Satu (2021-05-21)
Wessberg, Nina
Lehtinen, Santtu
Ritala, Anneli
Häkkinen, Suvi T.
Vilkki, Johanna
Schulman, Alan
Laine, Jussi
Korhonen, Satu
Prime Minister's Office
21.05.2021
Julkaisusarja:
Publications of the Government's analysis, assessment and research activities 2021:39This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-142-1Tiivistelmä
The objective of this report is to produce information on the current state and future of the new genome editing techniques. The report material was collected from the literature, supported by expert interviews and business surveys. In addition, two stakeholder meetings were organised. Furthermore, statistics and the scenario method were utilised in the project.
The new genome editing techniques enable one to add, remove or edit the desired qualities of an organism very accurately and in a targeted way. In Finland, these techniques are mainly applied in basic research on plants and in animal physiology, as well as in medical research and development to produce test animal and cell models.
Genome editing techniques could be applied for improving the climate resilience of plants as growing conditions become altered by climate change. In addition to medical trials, the techniques enable development of gene therapeutic treatments. In animal breeding, the expectations centre on improving health and wellbeing of animals.
The development of applications is hindered by the interpretation of European legislation that equates the new genome editing techniques with genetic modification. This keeps the costs of the required risk evaluation high. In addition, the consumer stance towards gene modification is negative, which means that the market of genome edited products is viewed as unstable.
The new genome editing techniques enable one to add, remove or edit the desired qualities of an organism very accurately and in a targeted way. In Finland, these techniques are mainly applied in basic research on plants and in animal physiology, as well as in medical research and development to produce test animal and cell models.
Genome editing techniques could be applied for improving the climate resilience of plants as growing conditions become altered by climate change. In addition to medical trials, the techniques enable development of gene therapeutic treatments. In animal breeding, the expectations centre on improving health and wellbeing of animals.
The development of applications is hindered by the interpretation of European legislation that equates the new genome editing techniques with genetic modification. This keeps the costs of the required risk evaluation high. In addition, the consumer stance towards gene modification is negative, which means that the market of genome edited products is viewed as unstable.
Kuvaus
This publication is part of the implementation of the Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research (tietokayttoon.fi). The content is the responsibility of the producers of the information and does not necessarily represent the view of the Government.