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Team:TU Munich/Human Practice/Overview
From 2012.igem.org
Contents |
Overview
More information on the development and on the current situation in Germany can be found in the References section.
Considering the general rejection of genetic engineering and keeping in mind that Germany has a long tradition of brewing beer under the German purity law it is even more important to inform the general public about genetic engineering, synthetic biology and our project. While the general public broadly opposes genetic engineering, the scientific community tries to emphasizes the potential benefits of the technology. In a 2008 lecture Nobel Prize-Winner Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard made clear: "Germany has so far failed to sufficiently accept that applying genetic engineering in plant breeding offers an as yet not fully tapped potential for organic farming, improved environmental protection, the conservation of biodiversity and health. Plants that are resistant towards moths, fungal infestation, viruses and nematodes need not be sprayed. Plants that are better adapted to unfavourable growth conditions, saline soil and karst and arid regions can thus be bred and grown to turn barren land back into fertile land ” [http://www.leopoldina.org/uploads/tx_leopublication/200910_NatEmpf_Gruene_Gentechnik-EN_01.pdf].
Using the example iGEM's first SynBio Beer our team tried to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public by hosting a variety of “Human Practice” events. To inform younger members of our society about genetic engineering we visited a class of 10th and a class of 11th graders. An interview at the local student radio station gave us the opportunity to present our team and our mission to fellow students. In addition a comic was designed that illustrates our project in a playful way. Two versions of this comic were drawn: one for children and one for grown-ups. Our team never encouraged under-age alcohol consumption. The presented content was always adapted according to the respective audience.
Our team also addressed the general public with a multitude of events. Laborwelt.de was our most important media partner. Moreover, other newspapers and websites reported about our team and project and a movie presented our project and explained the basic ideas of synthetic biology. A nationwide information day was organized in cooperation with other German iGEM teams. Our team also invited politicians and scientists to discuss the impact of genetic engineering in groceries.
GMO in Food
Genetic Engineering or Genetic Modification of food is an issue that is present in the media all over the world [http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food]. There are a lot of people who are critical and skeptical about genetically modified (GM) food. The opponents of genetic engineering are wondering if food produced from genetically engineered organisms is safe. They are afraid of eating GM food because they think that the food can interfere their normal bodily functions. Yet a lot of food that we eat every day contains genetically modified ingredients and we do not know about it [http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food [3]]. Consequently labeling GM food is another important issue that is often raised in controversies over genetic engineering of food. Especially in Germany these controversies are omnipresent and have led to many disputes, protests and restrictions.
Unfortunately many people who debate about genetic engineering have only little background knowledge. Consequently the content of the discussion is often unobjective and emotional. A negative effect of GM food on humans is not approved sufficiently yet. Supporters of GM food say that genetic engineering of crops for example is needed to address the world’s food needs. In this case the sustainability of food security and availability is an important topic because the population increases [http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food [3]]. Biotechnological methods could help increase food production since generating genetically modified crops can provide protection from pathogens. Besides fewer insecticides and other chemicals are needed. Another aspect in generating GM food is to modify the nutritional value of the food. One example is the so called “Golden Rice” that has a higher concentration of vitamin A than normal rice.
Green genetic engineering is not only a scientific issue, but also a political, social and commercial one. That is why our project addresses the populace. It is an important issue for almost everybody in the population and it is a really present and much debated topic. In Germany a lot of research is done in the field of green genetic engineering. However, the step to the application of GM food is still difficult. That is why the iGEM TU Munich Team wants to inform people about genetic engineering in general and to moderate the concerns about it. Besides we want to lay the foundations for a new generation of functional food by producing iGEM’s first and finest SynBio Beer.
School Visit
On July 24th, two of us visited the Joseph-Bernahrt-Gymnasium to give exciting talks about synthetic biology, iGEM and our project. In addition students could get their hands dirty trying to reveal some of the genetic secrets of bananas, pineapples and "gummi bears".
Public Relations
Throughout the entire project we used different media channels to inform the general public. Our cooperation partner was Laborwelt.de. In addition we kept our followers up to date using a variety of social media.
Comic
Our team designed a comic introducing our hero "Super Yeast". In an entertaining way the comic explains the idea of synthetic biology and our project. We created two versions: one for children and one for grown-ups. Have a look and find out what our hero experiences!
Information Day
On August 25th, German iGEM teams informed the general public about synthetic biology and iGEM. This nationwide information day was a joint effort to inspire people throughout Germany and spread the word about synthetic biology.
Politics
On September 18th, we invited the general public to an evening full of presentations and an interesting panel discussion. Experts gave comprehensive talks and during the panel discussion scientists and politicians debated on genetic engineering in food.
Movie
In total we produced two movies. One in cooperation with an online magazine called "Wissen + Konzepte" to highlight the scientific part of our project and another one to present our team and our project.
Radio Interview
On August 19th, three of us gave an interview at a local radio station. Nadine, Fabian and David talked about synthetic biology, iGEM and our project.
Survey
In cooperation with "TUM:Junge Akademie", a collegiate association of our university, we got the chance to take a look at the results of a survey about "genetic engineering". The survey helped us to get a picture of the attitude of the German population towards genetic engineering in food. Read more and see the results of the survey.
References
- [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqRbziwzVkk&feature=plcp
- [2] http://www.leopoldina.org/uploads/tx_leopublication/200910_NatEmpf_Gruene_Gentechnik-EN_01.pdf
- [3] http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food
Additional information:
- http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090528173643889
- http://www.study-in.de/en/community/tandem-reporters/--16453
- http://oneco.biofach.de/en/news/?focus=ce188f4d-46b2-4f0c-9b55-64cc1ecadf40
- http://www.care2.com/greenliving/germany-decides-genetically-modified-foods-are-not-welcome.html
- http://expertlywrapped.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/basf-plant-science-leaves-europe-for-us/
- http://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/index.php/Kellogg/article/the_fall_of_german_biotech
- http://www.bvl.bund.de/EN/06_Genetic_Engineering/genetic_engineering_node.html
- http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/news/546.german_constitutional_court_confirms_biotech_law.html
- http://www.bfn.de/0301_gentechnik+M52087573ab0.html
- File:TUM biotech in Germany.pdf
