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I Have a Dream: Organic Movements Include Gene Manipulation to Improve Sustainable Farming

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  • Gerhart U. Ryffel

    (Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147 Essen, Germany)

Abstract

Several papers in a Special Issue of Sustainability have recently discussed various aspects to evaluate whether organic farming and gene manipulation are compatible. A special emphasis was given to new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs). These new approaches allow the most predictable genetic alterations of crop plants in ways that the genetically modified plant is identical to a plant generated by conventional breeding. The articles of the Special Issue present the arguments pro and contra the inclusion of the plants generated by NPBTs in organic farming. Organic movements have not yet made a final decision whether some of these techniques should be accepted or banned. In my view these novel genetically manipulated (GM) crops could be used in such a way as to respect the requirements for genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs) formulated by the International Federation of Organic Movements (IFOAM). Reviewing the potential benefits of disease-resistant potatoes and bananas, it seems possible that these crops support organic farming. To this end, I propose specific requirements that the organic movements should proactively formulate as their standards to accept specific GM crops.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerhart U. Ryffel, 2017. "I Have a Dream: Organic Movements Include Gene Manipulation to Improve Sustainable Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:3:p:392-:d:92378
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniela Pacifico & Roberta Paris, 2016. "Effect of Organic Potato Farming on Human and Environmental Health and Benefits from New Plant Breeding Techniques. Is It Only a Matter of Public Acceptance?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    2. James Dale & Jean-Yves Paul & Benjamin Dugdale & Robert Harding, 2017. "Modifying Bananas: From Transgenics to Organics?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Godelieve Gheysen & René Custers, 2017. "Why Organic Farming Should Embrace Co-Existence with Cisgenic Late Blight–Resistant Potato," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-11, January.
    4. R. Guy Reeves & Martin Phillipson, 2017. "Mass Releases of Genetically Modified Insects in Area-Wide Pest Control Programs and Their Impact on Organic Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-24, January.
    5. Luca Lombardo & Samanta Zelasco, 2016. "Biotech Approaches to Overcome the Limitations of Using Transgenic Plants in Organic Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-7, May.
    6. Fern Wickson & Rosa Binimelis & Amaranta Herrero, 2016. "Should Organic Agriculture Maintain Its Opposition to GM? New Techniques Writing the Same Old Story," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sean Clark, 2020. "Organic Farming and Climate Change: The Need for Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-7, August.
    2. Gerhart U. Ryffel, 2017. "Reply to Arbenz, M. Comment on Ryffel, G.U. I Have a Dream: Organic Movements Include Gene Manipulation to Improve Sustainable Farming. Sustainability 2017, 9 , 392," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-2, May.
    3. Serena Mandolesi & Emilia Cubero Dudinskaya & Simona Naspetti & Francesco Solfanelli & Raffaele Zanoli, 2022. "Freedom of Choice—Organic Consumers’ Discourses on New Plant Breeding Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Markus Arbenz & David Gould, 2017. "Comment on Ryffel, G.U. I Have a Dream: Organic Movements Include Gene Manipulation to Improve Sustainable Farming. Sustainability 2017, 9 , 392," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-2, May.

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