Biotechnology risks and opportunities

Biotechnology techniques

Biotechnology includes various types of techniques, ranging from traditional to modern. One example of traditional biotechnology is making cheese or beer, which involves using bacteria and fungi such as yeast. Modern biotechnology relies on techniques such as:

• Cloning: making a genetic copy of an animal or plant. In the Netherlands, animals are cloned only for scientific research purposes. Countries outside the European Union also clone animals for breeding programmes, for instance.
• Synthetic biology: designing cells or parts of cells that work better than their natural counterpart.
• Genetic modification: a technique that alters the hereditary traits (the DNA) of a plant, animal or microorganism. In this way, a useful trait can be added. An organism that is altered using this technology is called a genetically modified organism (GMO).
• Gene editing: a type of genetic modification whereby the DNA of a plant, animal or microorganism is precisely and easily modified. As a result, certain hereditary traits can be switched ‘on’ and ‘off’. One example of this technique is CRISPR-Cas.

Opportunities

Biotechnology presents opportunities to tackle the major challenges facing society. For example, preventing and curing disease, combating climate change and contributing to food security and the circular economy. The government wants to capitalise on the opportunities offered by biotechnology, but the applications must be safe for human and animal health and the environment.

Some applications that result from biotechnology have been used for many years. A good example is insulin, a substance that has to be regularly injected to treat certain types of diabetes. Biotechnology also has a role in the development of coronavirus vaccines.

Biotechnology under development

Other useful applications are still at the development stage. Biotechnology offers more and more opportunities to develop treatment methods for cancer patients or people with a rare hereditary disease. These include gene therapies. Other applications under development are authorised only in some countries. Examples are potatoes that are more resistant to disease, and soya and corn that are less sensitive to insects and pesticides.

Biotechnology at the research stage

Many ideas are also still being researched. This means that they are being investigated in the laboratory but are not yet in widespread use. Examples are algae that can make biofuels (bioethanol) from CO₂, or transplanting animal organs into human recipients. The opportunities offered by biotechnology are also explored through partnerships. For example, the National Growth Fund project Biotech Booster was set up in 2022. This partnership between research institutes and businesses is ideally placed to translate research on biotechnology into economic activity and practical applications. This ensures that innovation in biotechnology can make the best possible contribution to efforts to solve societal challenges in health, climate change, energy, agriculture and food security. 

Risks

The government ensures that GMO research, production and trade is safely regulated. The safety of biotechnology is governed through legislation and regulations. Organisations that want to work with GMOs require authorisation. The risks of a GMO for human health and the environment are assessed in every authorisation application. Only if the risks are negligible will applicants be allowed to work with GMOs.

Safe-by-Design for safe biotechnology

Safe-by-Design means that safety is taken into account from the very earliest stages of product and process development. The aim is to prevent environmental hazards and achieve a safe, clean, healthy environment. Safe-by-Design in research and product development can therefore contribute to the safety of new developments in biotechnology.