In an open letter released last month, 21 out of the 27 most cited plant scientists in Europe pledged decision makers to back plant research, which they feel is currently threatened by lack of funding and global public and political opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
“In comparison for instance with biomedicine and fields with technical applications, plant science is not well funded, and that’s particularly true when it comes to funding from Horizon 2020”, says Stefan Jansson of Umea University (Sweden), who coordinated the letter.
In the open letter the scientists recall the fundamental role of curiosity-driven plant research for a sustainable society and to “deepen our understanding of nature”, and they warn decision makers that without their support—financial and political—the Horizon2020 goals to “tackle societal challenges” and “to ensure Europe produces world-class science” will not be met.
Besides asking for funding to be maintained or, if possible, increased, they demand that plant scientists must be allowed to perform field experiments with GM plant varieties, and that Europe must “promptly” authorise new GM crops that have been found safe by the European Food Safe Authority (EFSA).
The open letter has so far not received any response from the European Commissioner, but it got extensive media coverage and excellent feedback from the research community, except in France, where researchers seem to prefer to remain quiet.
So what’s the future for plant science in Europe?
Jansson says “It won’t disappear but it won’t flourish either. Maybe, in 10 years, there will be fewer plant scientists and they will be a little less useful for society.”
Read full, original blog: Seeds of change?
