Welcome to NRP 59 Using genetics to modify plants offers perspectives far beyond those of normal cross-breeding. This is why these plants have been authorized for use in many countries. But genetically modified (GM) plants are also controversial, in particular in Switzerland. In 2005, Swiss voters accepted a five-year moratorium on the commercial use of GM plants, which lasts until 2010. Until then, it is up to researchers to find out more about the benefits and risks of these plants. Even though huge progress has been made from a scientific standpoint, there are plenty of unanswered questions. For example, Switzerland with its small-size structured agriculture needs to consider the highly relevant issue of how well GM and traditional crops can coexist. Other points that need to be clarified are whether GM plants bring any economic benefit, can be eco-friendly or are acceptable to society. Finally, it remains to be seen if consumers have anything to gain. To answer these questions, the Federal Council requested that the Swiss National Science Foundation implement the National Research Programme NRP 59 “Benefits and Risks of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Plants”. The programme is neither in favour of nor against the use of GM plants. It contributes answers to the questions politicians and society have raised about this new technology.

24 August 2010
Genetically modified wheat has been harvested

Last week, the mature wheat plants were harvested in the experimental field in Reckenholz. Thanks to favourable weather conditions, the genetically modified wheat in the trial field in Pully could already be harvested at the end of July. In the process, it became apparent that the act of vandalism committed at the end of June only reached the border of the field and did not compromise the tested plants. Various research groups at the Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil, at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, as well as at the universities of Basel and Lausanne can now add the new results to those collected in 2009 in Pully and in 2008 and 2009 in Reckenholz and compare them. The scientists will continue to closely watch the trial fields in the next few years, so as to eliminate regrowth as quickly as possible.

13 July 2010
The influence of the environment on genetically modified wheat

In the greenhouse, lines of genetically modified wheat carrying a resistance gene against the fungal disease mildew have a yield which is up to twice as high as that of control plants. In the field however, this ratio is reversed for certain, but not all, wheat lines. A study performed within the NRP 59 concludes from these results that data from the greenhouse cannot be applied to the situation in the field and that therefore field trials are important.
Press release

07 July 2010
Acts of vandalism condemned

At the end of June vandals destroyed part of a test field where the safety of genetically modified wheat is being researched as part of the National Research Programme “Benefits and Risks of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Plants” (NRP 59). Shortly afterwards, unknown persons defaced the house and car of one of the NRP researchers. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) regrets and particularly deplores actions directed at individual persons.
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11 March 2010
No undesirable effects of genetically modified wheat were detected

Two studies within the National Research Programme “Benefits and Risks of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Plants” (NRP 59) have examined the effects of genetically modified wheat on insect larvae and aphids. No adverse effects were detected.
Press release (German)
Press release (French)

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