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DARWIN Project: Giessen University researches consumer behaviour regarding new genetic engineering
Prof Dr Wencke Gwozdz, Photo: Justus Liebig University Giessen
Educated purchasing decisions through greater transparency
A working group at the Institute of Consumer Research, Communication and Sociology of Nutrition at JLU is responsible for the DARWIN sub-project "Responsible Research and Innovation: Collaborative Stakeholder Ecosystem". The team, led by Prof Dr Wencke Gwozdz, is researching which factors influence consumer acceptance when it comes to products produced with the help of new genetic engineering (NGT). Prof Dr Gwozdz wants to create transparency so that consumers can make educated purchasing decisions, according to the JLU press release.
To date, the labelling of genetically modified foods (GMOs) has been mandatory in the EU, thus guaranteeing freedom of choice. The fact is that the majority of society and the food industry reject genetically modified products and also demand transparency and labelling for new genetic engineering (NGT) products. The EU, on the other hand, wants to treat almost all plants produced using NGT processes in the same way as conventional breeds and not label them. This is causing great uncertainty and protest among food producers, organic and Non-GMO organisations and consumers.
DARWIN aims to provide solutions
The paramount goal of the international DARWIN consortium is to develop reliable methods for the detection and traceability of genetically modified products by 2027. There are currently no reliable detection methods for genome editing methods, including the CRISPR/CAS gene scissors. The German Association Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG) is part of the DARWIN consortium and contributes its expertise when it comes to the use of newly developed detection methods in practice.
DARWIN sub-project at the University of Giessen (in German)