04.10.2024

gfs survey confirms high acceptance of genome editing

Dear Readers,

On behalf of the swiss-food knowledge platform, gfs.bern has conducted a survey on the use of innovative technologies in agriculture. As with the first survey in 2021, the focus of this current survey was on targeted plant breeding using genome editing, also known as gene scissors. The survey is representative with 1060 eligible voters interviewed by the online panel «Polittrends» of gfs.bern. The survey took place from August 26 to September 6, 2024, with a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Once again, a large majority of voters recognize the advantage of targeted plant breeding using genome editing, regardless of political affiliation. Respondents place particular importance on the reduced use of crop protection products and the safeguarding of regional products. Compared to conventional breeding methods, which often rely on radiation or on the use of chemicals, the targeted introduction of mutations using genome editing scores particularly well.

The fundamental satisfaction of voters with Swiss agriculture remains high at 78 percent, with strong support across the political spectrum and among the party-unaffiliated spectrum. However, there is an exception among Green Party supporters, of whom only
37 percent express satisfaction with agriculture.

When it comes to agricultural products, the population particularly values regionality (72 percent), freshness (66 percent), taste
(47 percent) and price (45 percent). Organic production ranks only in fifth place (32 percent).

The population is very open to new production methods. The use of drones to locate and combat disease (86 percent) receives the most approval, followed by the targeted breeding of resistant plants
(74 percent). Targeted crop protection products (67 percent) and robots (67 percent) also receive good marks. However, genetically modified plants are clearly rejected (77 percent). When asked about the use of genome-edited plants, respondents indicated that they would need to know more about the technology (44 percent undecided) to be able to form an opinion.

However, after a brief explanation, a majority of respondents
(64 percent) consider the technology to be useful.
Its benefits are recognized across political lines. Genome editing also compares very favorably with traditional breeding methods which rely in part on radioactive radiation or chemicals (so-called mutagenesis). Waiting for random mutations (corresponding to traditional breeding without mutagenesis) also appears impractical to a majority of respondents.

86 percent find genome editing useful if it can greatly reduce the use of crop protection products. Nearly as many see the preservation of traditional apple varieties (85 percent) as beneficial.

Other important areas of voters include climate change adaptation, reducing food loss on the field, and enriching staple foods with essential nutrients in developing countries.

Consistently, a large majority are against general bans and believe it makes sense to assess the opportunities and risks of the technology on an individual basis (76 percent). If a genome-edited plant is no different from a conventionally bred plant, it should be approved in Switzerland (58 percent). This corresponds to a product-based approval. The proportion of the population that generally rejects human intervention in the genetic makeup of plants has decreased by seven percentage points compared to 2021. Many voters also do not want Swiss agriculture to suffer a disadvantage if EU countries allow genome editing in the future. Plant breeding using genome editing is also seen to increase the level of self-sufficiency.

In summary, openness to technology is particularly high when genome editing is associated with an ecological benefit. More than 80 percent of respondents find genome editing useful when it can be used to make crops more resistant to plant diseases. Once again, the survey refutes the argument – often put forward by technology sceptics – that consumers reject genome editing. This is clearly not the case. On the contrary, acceptance is extremely high when there is a clear benefit.

From the point of view of swiss-food, the conclusion of the 2021 survey remains fully valid: «Acceptance of new technologies can be increased with clear communication of the benefits. The population is very receptive to new technologies if their use can eliminate specific risks to regional production, the environment or health.»

Your swiss-food editorial team