New genomic techniques (NGT): understanding benefits and risks – focus on bio-based innovation
There is a need to enable major advances in the life sciences and biotechnology, in new genomic techniques, such as gene/genome editing[[Including, if relevant, epigenomic control mechanisms]]. This aims to ensure they can contribute safely and sustainably addressing the grand societal challenges of our age, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, improved resource efficiency by industry and throughout various sectors of the economy. This covers their applicability for bio-based sectors (e.g. development of improved and more resilient feedstocks, plants and livestock to achieve a more efficient use of resources, longer shelf life of the agricultural products, products or agricultural by-products rendered more reusable). These advances must be aligned with the relevant EU legal framework[[Including the EU Court of Justice judgment in Case C-528/16,