Switzerland poised to break from its anti-GMO past, edges closer to deregulating gene edited crops to increase crop yields
Switzerland poised to break from its anti-GMO past, edges closer to deregulating gene edited crops to increase crop yields
Zoe Schneeweis | Bloomberg | April 7, 2025
Switzerland is considering a change of its rules to allow gene editing, reflecting a broader shift across Europe aimed at increasing crop yields. “The new regulation will cover plants produced using new breeding technologies, which do not contain transgenic genetic material and offer added value for agriculture, the environment, or consumers,” according to a government statement on [April 2].
Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Land-locked Switzerland isn’t a member of the European Union, and has had its own focus on food security and sustainability for years.
Gene-editing technology is hailed by proponents as a way to improve human welfare. Several European countries, including the UK, are looking into this to make crops more resistant to pests and climate change. The technique, which uses a “cut and paste” method, differs from conventional genetic modification in that it doesn’t introduce foreign DNA into organisms. It has been used for wheat, canola and sugar beet, and researchers are studying whether it can help make pigs and chickens more resistant to diseases.
While the Swiss are orienting themselves on European Commission proposals, “the Federal Council, in contrast to the EU draft, plans stronger control mechanisms,” the government said, kicking off a consultation that will last until July 9. Officials aim to present a draft decree to parliament in the first quarter of 2026.
 | Videos | More... |
Video: Nuclear energy will destroy us? Global warming is an existential threat? Chemicals are massacring bees? Donate to the Green Industrial Complex!
 | Bees & Pollinators | More... |
GLP podcast: Science journalism is a mess. Here’s how to fix it
Mosquito massacre: Can we safely tackle malaria with a CRISPR gene drive?
Are we facing an ‘Insect Apocalypse’ caused by ‘intensive, industrial’ farming and agricultural chemicals? The media say yes; Science says ‘no’
 | Infographics | More... |
Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer
Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...
 | GMO FAQs | More... |
Why is there controversy over GMO foods but not GMO drugs?
How are GMOs labeled around the world?
How does genetic engineering differ from conventional breeding?
 | GLP Profiles | More... |
Alex Jones: Right-wing conspiracy theorist stokes fear of GMOs, pesticides to sell ‘health supplements’
A single high dose of LSD can ease anxiety and depression for months
From plastic coasters to human hearts: Inside the race to print the human body
CRISPR pork: U.S. approves first gene-edited pigs for consumption
Viewpoint: Life and death decisions: RFK, Jr.’s shady FDA “expert panels” operate in secret with no transcripts or conflict of interest reviews
‘SuperAgers’: Why some people have the brains and memory capacity of people decades younger 
Baby food panic, brought to you by trial lawyers hoping to prosecute by press release
From ‘Frankenfood’ to superfood: Can the purple tomato overcome GMO myths to win over consumers?
When farmers deny science: The hypocrisy hurting agriculture’s credibility
