Genetic engineering in the coalition agreement

Anyone who expected the term genetic engineering to be included at least in the "Innovation, Science, Research and Universities" chapter of the coalition agreement will be disappointed. Genetic engineering is not mentioned in the coalition agreement. Even though the development of vaccines is mentioned as an important signal to the world, it is only generally included in the term biotechnology. This is not surprising given the Greens' previous position. To the extent that genetic engineering were to lose its negative image under the term "comprehensive biotechnology" and then receive the support already stipulated in Section 2 No. 3 of the Genetic Engineering Act (GenTG), this would be acceptable. However, this is not to be expected. Germany will in future be represented in the EU Environment Council by two ministries: Steffi Lemke (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) and Robert Harbeck (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection), both from the Greens. The former has already signaled in Brussels that it does not seek any changes to EU genetic engineering law. This statement was related to the new breeding methods for which Austria had demanded a strict risk assessment under EU law and mandatory labeling for food produced in this way.