Public dialogue on genome editing and farmed animals

Public dialogue

Published 12/10/2022

Dialgue report cover image





Chicken crop

We have worked with BBSRC and Sciencewise on a public dialogue exploring the use of genome editing in farmed animals.

A report of the dialogue (PDF) was published on 12 October 2022.

The topic guides and summary of information provided to participants and the executive summary of the report are available via the links on the left hand side of this page. You can also read the press release here.

The dialogue involved 80 members of the public and took place between May and July 2022. It was delivered by research consultancy Basis Social and overseen by an advisory group chaired by Sarah Mukherjee MBE.

Background

Genome editing - known commonly as ‘gene editing’ - is the precise, targeted alteration of a DNA sequence in a living cell. It enables changes to the genome - which aim to secure certain traits in new generations of farmed animals - to be made much faster than through traditional breeding methods.

Research in this area is well advanced, and the UK Parliament is currently debating Government proposals for amending the regulation of some genome edited organisms, including plants and animals, which could pave the way for the introduction of genome editing into the food and farming system.

Project team

Richella

Richella Logan

Head of Public Affairs

Richella is responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of the Nuffield Council’s public affairs activities. She works closely with communications colleagues with the aim of raising awareness of our work amongst decision makers. Richella joined us in 2018, prior to that she worked as Director of Public Affairs for the Country Land and Business Association.

Claudia Corradi

Claudia Corradi

Researcher

Claudia undertakes research to support the Council’s work. She also monitors developments in different areas of interest to the Council. Before joining the Council, she has been a research assistant in the field of cognitive neuroscience and completed a BA in Philosophy and an MSc in Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience.

SWR crop

Sarah Walker-Robson

Senior Communications Manager

Sarah leads our communications to raise awareness and promote discussion of our work amongst a range of audiences. Sarah previously worked in development at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, after completing a Masters degree in Science, Culture and Communication.

Share