Icon: enlarge
Farmer in Uganda: "In the poorest regions of the world, agricultural yields are often only a fraction of what it is here"
Photo: Thomas Woollard / EyeEm / Getty Images
“So he took the five loaves and two fish and looked up to heaven and blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. And they ate and were all filled; and what was left of them of the fragments was gathered up, twelve baskets full. "- Luke 9: 16-17.
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Weigel, as one of the leading scientists in Europe you are researching the genetic makeup of plants to find out which genes provide protection against heat and pests.
They see it as a contribution against hunger in the world.
What do you mean by that?
Detlef Weigel:
The environment is changing much faster at the moment than it has been in the past few decades.
At the same time, the world population is growing.
In order to secure long-term harvests, breeders must therefore develop new varieties of crops that can cope with the changed conditions faster than before.
If it is known which genetic changes give the plants protection against drought or pests, it is easier.
SPIEGEL:
With genetic engineering?
Weigel:
Not only.
It is also of great use in classical breeding.
SPIEGEL:
Can you explain that in more detail?
Weigel:
In conventional breeding, seeds are often either irradiated or treated with chemicals in order to trigger increased mutations in their genome.
Among the plants that have grown from them, breeders have to find those specimens in which the mutations have produced a desired property, such as protection against certain pests.
This works through extensive trial and error, or by breeders specifically using molecular biological methods to search for mutations whose effects they already know.
"In 2019, at least 340 million children still suffered from a deficiency in micronutrients such as vitamins."
SPIEGEL:
Why not just relocate varieties that are already growing in climatically appropriate regions or areas with certain pests?
Weigel:
Finding plants that are particularly resistant to pests or drought is not the crux of the matter.
It's relatively easy.
The challenge is that the varieties have to produce at least as good yields as those previously grown in a region.
Otherwise, there will suddenly need significantly more agricultural land there to achieve the usual yield.
SPIEGEL:
In the summer of 2000, your colleague Ingo Potrykus, who has now retired from ETH Zurich, was on the cover of the American “Time” magazine.
It was standing in a rice field with the words "This rice could save the lives of millions of children every year" next to it.
Why did the miracle fail?
Weigel:
It was about the so-called golden rice.
It has been genetically engineered to contain beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.
It is essential for healthy development.
However, due to campaigns against genetically modified foods in Western countries, governments in countries where vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem are also hesitant to use them.
Many are still checking.
Who pays Detlef Weigel?
Detlef Weigel has worked for several universities and research institutions in Germany and abroad.
His research as well as salaries and fees are largely financed from public funds;
his research at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen has not yet received industry support.
From time to time he advises companies such as Bayer Crop Sciences and KWS.
Weigel is a co-founder of Computomics, which supports scientists and companies in the analysis of genetic data.
So far, he has only invested private money in the company.
Weigel is also a member of several scientific academies, such as the British Royal Society, the American National Academy of Sciences and the German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina.
SPIEGEL:
Aren't there any good arguments against using the product?
Weigel:
I find a lot of it cynical.
The rich West shouldn't underestimate what it means when food is scarce.
In the poorest regions of the world, agricultural yields are often only a fraction of what it is here.
Nevertheless, it is argued that the vitamin A requirement could just as easily be met by vegetables.
SPIEGEL: At
least that's not wrong.
Weigel:
It is indeed true, but it is of no use to those affected if vegetables are not available and affordable.
I read a while ago that charities spend millions of dollars each year distributing vitamin A supplements to those in need.
In 2019, at least 340 million children still suffered from a deficiency in micronutrients such as vitamins.
I wonder if it wouldn't be better if people could get their nutrient balance directly from the locally grown food.
Golden rice could help, the companies involved have promised to make it available cheaply or even free of charge.
"With genetic scissors, the same mutations can be inserted into the genome of plants or animals as with classic breeding."
SPIEGEL:
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year for developing the Crispr-Cas-9 gene scissors.
The tool is intended to help develop new plant varieties even faster and in a more targeted manner.
What's it all about?
Weigel:
With gene scissors, the same mutations can be inserted into the genome of plants or animals as with classic breeding with artificial or natural methods, but purposefully rather than randomly.
Instead of a thousand plants or animals, breeders or researchers then only have to examine a handful of specimens for the desired change.
At the same time, the rest of the genome remains free from mutations.
However, this new so-called genome editing is also legally considered genetic engineering in Europe.
SPIEGEL:
Many people in Germany are happy about it.
They are afraid of eating genetically modified plants.
What do you answer them?
Weigel:
I can understand the worries on an emotional level.
If someone has the choice between a genetically modified and a conventional tomato, he usually decides on the instinct for the conventional product.
That's human.
But if you were to say that there is a genetically modified tomato here and it only needs to be sprayed half as often, the reaction might be different.
I think acceptance can only be achieved if the concrete advantages become clear.
SPIEGEL:
Do you also share health concerns?
Weigel:
No, genetically modified plants have been on the market in the USA for more than 20 years.
Hundreds of millions of people and billions of animals have already fed on it and there is no evidence of any health problems caused by it.
What can be discussed are the possible effects of a release on nature, whereby at least plants that have been modified by genome editing have the same risk profile in my view as classic breeds.
SPIEGEL:
Do you still believe in enlightenment?
Weigel:
I think we just have to decide what is important to us.
It's not that the whole world will starve to death in a few years without genetic engineering.
We can continue as before, but then have to change something elsewhere.
What will not be possible is to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture and hunger in the world while maintaining current food and production habits.
Icon: The mirror