In Focus: Obstacles and opportunities for research in Germany (2025)

In this brochure, the Working Group addresses a cross-cutting question for the first time: Which current circumstances hinder research in the field of genetic technologies in Germany, and in which areas might there be unused or not fully utilized potential? To explore this, specific areas of genetic technology are examined: research involving human embryonic stem cells, field trials with genetically modified plants, animal experiments and alternative methods, laboratory research in white biotechnology, and research using genetic data. These fields can contribute to solving current societal challenges such as long-term health, climate change, nutrition, and animal welfare, but they are simultaneously confronted with increasing overregulation and bureaucratization, inconsistent regulations and approval procedures, as well as obstacles to translating scientific findings into practical applications.

With thematic contributions by Vasilija Rolfes; Jennifer Rosowski and Sina Bartfeld; Wiebke Albrecht and Jan G. Hengstler; Martin Zenke, Ralf Müller-Terpitz and Paul Jacob; Ralf Müller-Terpitz and Hannah Lilly Straub; Stephan Clemens; Tobias J. Erb; Jürgen Hampel, as well as policy recommendations on key issues from the Working Group Gene Technology Report.

The Working Group’s assessment is available online in both German and English.