Young scientist joins international initiative to promote new plant breeding techniques

Nikola Kořínková from the CATRIN Plant Genetics and Engineering research group has joined the GeneSprout initiative, which brings together young scientists in the field of plant research. She is the only Czech representative in the international initiative, whose main objective is to support and promote new plant breeding techniques.

“GeneSprout brings together young scientists who know that new breeding techniques, especially CRISPR, offer great opportunities in addressing the question of how to ensure sustainable food production in the future. We have been working with these techniques, however, for our research to be meaningful, they must find practical applications. Existing European regulations on new genomic methods in Europe prevent this from happening, which is very demotivating. Therefore, one of our goals is to try to be a voice for young plant scientists in the development of new breeding technique policy in Europe,” Kořínková explained.

Young scientists are very aware that in order to adopt new methods of plant genetic modification, it is crucial to communicate with the public and offer them enough relevant information. Therefore, the initiative intends to create clear and accessible information platforms for all interested parties. It is active on social media and beyond. Nikola Kořínková is also focusing on this segment of its activities.

“There is a lot of misleading information or even lies circulating on the Internet. We need to explain the difference between the original GMOs and the new methods of plant breeding, which are actually very similar to the processes that take place in nature. They do not introduce foreign genetic information into the plants and, in compared to conventional processes, plants with the desired characteristics can be bred more quickly and with less impact on the environment. Without this knowledge, people can more easily be misinformed, which is why I have I decided to help with education,” added Kořínková.

The GeneSprout initiative was launched at the end of 2018. For more information please visit https://www.genesproutinitiative.com/.