Description du projet
Le potentiel technique et socio-économique des NTG au service d’une bioéconomie durable
Les nouvelles techniques génomiques (NTG) représentent une puissante boîte à outils pour relever les défis mondiaux impérieux auxquels nous sommes actuellement confrontés, notamment la pollution et le changement climatique. Le projet GeneBEcon, financé par l’UE, s’articule autour des axes suivants: 1) la R&I des NTG dans le domaine des pommes de terre et des microalgues pour promouvoir une production agricole efficace du point de vue énergétique et zéro pollution ainsi qu’un traitement industriel propre en éliminant l’amidon traité chimiquement et les nouveaux composés; 2) l’étude des dimensions sociales, économiques et réglementaires inhérentes au potentiel des NTG dans le cadre du pacte vert pour l’Europe, du plan «objectif climatique pour 2030» et du plan d’action pour une économie circulaire, et la contribution à la politique de l’UE; 3) l’examen des avantages et des préoccupations potentiels afin de veiller à ce que les innovations dans les NTG soient développées de manière responsable, inclusive et transparente.
Objectif
New genomic techniques (NGTs) can contribute to an energy-efficient, low-input and zero-pollution agricultural production and industrial processing. Despite rapid recent progress, this toolbox is still in its infancy and substantial investments are needed to optimise the methods. Also, the innovation potential is fully exploited only if economic, social, and regulatory drivers coalesce and are accompanied by transparent communication and inclusive stakeholder engagement. A problem facing NGT innovation in Europe is that regulatory uncertainty restricts investment at all levels – research, innovation and scaling up – and the impacts of NGTs, both positive and negative, are not fully assessed. It also remains to be seen if public and stakeholder acceptance of NGT products will enable their application. The consequence is that NGTs do not yet reach their full potential. The research in GeneBEcon has two facets. First, the technical potential is explored by applying gene editing to develop 1) a virus-resistant potato with an industrial tuber starch quality, and 2) microalgae-based production of industrially relevant mycosporin-like amino acids. Second, the risk-regulatory aspects, economic incentives, and social perceptions are investigated. In the latter, comparative analyses are enabled by our approach with two different production systems: open-field agricultural crop and contained-system microalgae. The results will enable technical innovations as well as allow stakeholders (incl researchers, breeders, primary producers, value chain actors, risk assessors and decision makers) to take informed decisions on the safe and responsible use of NGT-derived products. GeneBEcon has a multi-sectoral consortium and the project links to relevant stakeholders through a Stakeholder Advisory Board. This will, through communication and inclusive engagement, enable an improved understanding and awareness of the risks and benefits of NGT-derived products through societal dialogue.
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HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinateur
750 07 Uppsala
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