The objective of this report is to produce information on the current state and future of the new genome editing techniques. The report material was collected from the literature, supported by expert interviews and business surveys. In addition, two stakeholder meetings were organised. Furthermore, statistics and the scenario method were utilised in the project.

The new genome editing techniques enable one to add, remove or edit the desired qualities of an organism very accurately and in a targeted way. In Finland, these techniques are mainly applied in basic research on plants and in animal physiology, as well as in medical research and development to produce test animal and cell models.

Genome editing techniques could be applied for improving the climate resilience of plants as growing conditions become altered by climate change. In addition to medical trials, the techniques enable development of gene therapeutic treatments. In animal breeding, the expectations centre on improving health and wellbeing of animals.

The development of applications is hindered by the interpretation of European legislation that equates the new genome editing techniques with genetic modification. This keeps the costs of the required risk evaluation high. In addition, the consumer stance towards gene modification is negative, which means that the market of genome edited products is viewed as unstable.