The Rise of Gene-Editing Technologies: Threats and Opportunities for Ecological Sustainability

Abstract

This thesis researches scientists’ expectations of the possible impacts of gene-editing on ecological sustainability. In this thesis, ecological sustainability is defined according to the Core Set of Indicators (CSI) of the European Environment Agency (EEA). Thirty scientists with expertise in both gene-editing and ecological sustainability were interviewed. The findings are grouped per thematic theme as defined by the CSI of the EEA. The results show that scientists expect both threats and opportunities for gene-editing in relation to ecological sustainability. The findings could be used as a building block in creating a more comprehensive forecast of the possible impacts of gene-editing technologies on ecological sustainability. Suggestions for further research are done with regards to interviewing other stakeholders than scientists, because the success or failure of a technology is never dependent upon one actor only.