A genetic technique that does not use "external" DNA and that, at the same time, is effective and respectful. We're talking about CRISPR-Cas 9, a new frontier that is raising the interest of laboratories all over the world. This is what was discussed on 27th April 2017 at the Assosementi "Innovazioni in agricoltura, e post verità: scienza, imprese e istituzioni a confronto" (Innovations and post-truth in agriculture: science, businesses and institutions) workshop held in Bologna.
Talks during the Assosementi convention held on 27th April 2017 in Bologna
Assosementi president Giuseppe Carli said that, over the next few years, agriculture will have to double its production while maintaining the cultivated areas constant. At the same time, quality will have to improve. "Each era has its breeding. Thanks to genetic improvement, it's possible to produce more in a single unit while reducing the inputs. The hope is for politicians to listen to us seed companies and for relationships with the press world to improve."
Assosementi president Giuseppe Carli
Professor Silvio Salvi from the University of Bologna discussed the innovation of "genome editing", thanks to which genetic modification (even of a single nucleotide) can be applied to a specific gene.
"Crispr-Cas9 enables us to carry out modifications targeted at a single nucleotide. This technique was perfected over the past 2-3 years and is currently being implemented. The advantage is that it does not introduce exogenous DNA. It is very precise: the effectiveness is of 50% and protocols are available that do not require the production of transgenic intermediaries."
Journalist Anna Meldolesi, author of "E l'uomo creò l'uomo: Crispr e la rivoluzione dell'editing genomico" (And thus man created man: Crispr and the evolution of genome editing), intervened confirming the effectiveness of Crispr-Cas9.
"It's a simple democratic technique. No one will be able to talk about a monopoly of the multinationals, so it could solve image problems with the public opinion. Unfortunately, people always oppose innovation."
Left to right: Giuseppe Carli, Anna Meldolesi, Silvio Salvi, Alessia Cogliandro, Bartolomeo Amidei
Professor Salvi stressed how genome editing can be used to introduce new "non genetically modified" seeds that are resistant to diseases, so chemical treatments and crop protection can be reduced.
Senator Amidei is one of the few politicians with direct knowledge of the sector, as he has worked for seed companies in the past. He's part of the Commission for agriculture. "It's not easy to talk about these issues, as generally the political world is not very sensitive about them and gets influenced by the absurd principle of precaution everyone mentions when they have no scientific competence. I have heard astonishing statements within the Commission as well."
Alessia Cogliandro, in charge with the institutional relations of the Esa, European Seed Association, said that "these techniques are still being discussed. The European Court should issue its opinion in 2018. There is still no indication as to how these techniques will be classified."
Left to right: Giuseppe Carli, Anna Meldolesi, Silvio Salvi, Alessia Cogliandro, Bartolomeo Amidei
The opponents voices are becoming increasingly loud, but there are no competent experts among them. In addition, they do not base their concerns on scientific data, but rather on emotional aspects that move the great public. "At Esa, we decided to communicate more, to spread the truth online. People know nothing about what our breeders do. We need to let them know innovation brings benefits."
"There are people deciding without knowing what they're talking about in the EU as well. For example, organic regulations are currently being discussed, but those who decide are doing so without consulting organic seed producers. They let themselves be influenced by small groups that base their message on emotional communication convincing the people open to their message."
May 18th will be "Plantday", to raise awareness on breeding and research in agriculture. "If we don't focus on research, our country will become an empty basket waiting to be filled by other nations. The Italian seed industry must be open to communication, show what it has done so far and what it can do in the future."