Life Sciences, Biotechnology
Following more than three decades of controversy, the application of various genetic modification (GM) techniques in microbes, plants, animals and even humans continues to be a deeply controversial issue in the EU and beyond, partly fuelled by progress in science, technological innovation, and the opening of novel application areas. Examples include GM industrial and energy crops, synthetic biology, novel breeding techniques including genome editing, gene drives, and biohacking, among others.
Session proposals focusing on better understanding of the policy and broader governance challenges as well as societal issues linked to the topics above are particularly encouraged