ECNH reports on fundamental topics

9 April 2026

Metaphors in the context of new genomic techniques in plant breeding

The report examines how terms such as ‘gene scissors’ or ‘genome editing’ influence the perception and evaluation of new genetic engineering techniques in public debate.

EKAH-Bericht_Metaphern Pflanzenzucht_2026_EN.pdf

PDF2.01 MB

31 March 2024

Xenotransplantation. New opportunities, new ethical questions?

With regard to the use of animals, the ECNH investigates the extent to which technological and medical developments and the possible establishment of xenotransplantation raise new ethical questions or require new answers to familiar ethical questions.

EKAH-Bericht_Xenotransplantation_2024_EN.pdf

PDF263.54 kB

31 October 2022

Climate change, agriculture and the role of biotechnology

Switzerland must make an appropriate contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the CENH, the targets set by policymakers for the agricultural sector are insufficient, and the sector must play a greater role in reducing emissions. There is also an urgent need to adapt agricultural production in the face of climate change, not least to ensure food security in the long term. It is anticipated that genetic modification techniques such as CRISPR/Cas could play a significant role in this regard. However, a clear majority of the commission’s members believe that these techniques are unlikely to make a substantial contribution to adaptation, which must take place within a short timeframe. They are therefore of the view that placing too much emphasis on these techniques would amount to gambling on the future, and that such a risk is not ethically justifiable given the urgency of the situation.

EKAH-Bericht_Klimawandel, Landwirtschaft, Biotechnologie_2022_EN.pdf

PDF2.94 MB

31 March 2020

Digital Genetic Information and the Idea of Access and Benefit Sharing

In the debate about how to handle this digitally stored information, the first position taken is that everyone benefits from open access to it. A second argument maintains on a more pragmatical level that it is not subject to the regulation in the Nagoya Protocol, which only covers tangible genetic resources, not intangible digital information. Critics fear that this would nullify regulations already in existence such as the Nagoya Protocol and make them ineffective not just for digital information but for all information based on genetic resources.

PDF1.61 MB

31 December 2019

Does the precautionary principle need to be supplemented? Ethical considerations on the 'innovation principle'

Discussions about the relationship between the precautionary principle and the ‘innovation principle’ are based on two misconceptions: (1) the precautionary principle is hostile to innovation, and (2) it is a risk evaluation principle.

EKAH-Bericht_Innovationsprinzip_2019_EN.pdf

PDF1.59 MB

31 August 2019

Gene Drives. Ethical considerations on the use of gene drives in the environment

The short report by the ECNH provides an ethical assessment of genetically engineered or synthetic gene drives, i.e. an ethical assessment of the procedures and associated interventions on living beings as well as the consequences of gene drive applications in the environment.

PDF121.89 kB

31 May 2018

Precaution in the environmental field. Ethical requirements for the regulation of new biotechnologies

The rapid development of new techniques which allow us to selectively alter genetic material and are thus termed genome editing has sparked public discussion about how such biotechnologies are to be regulated.

EKAH-Bericht_Vorsorge im Umweltbereich_2018_EN.pdf

PDF1.78 MB

31 March 2016

New Plant Breeding Techniques. Ethical Considerations

Various new plant breeding techniques developed in recent years involve modifying the plant genome. This makes it possible to induce resistance to diseases, insect pests or herbicides. Whilst many of these processes are still at the basic research stage, some are already being used to develop plants that will soon be brought to market.

EKAH-Bericht_Neue Pflanzenzüchtungsverfahren_2016_EN.pdf

PDF1.77 MB

31 December 2015

Forschungsfreiheit und Biosicherheit. Ethische Überlegungen am Beispiel von Dual use research of concern

The report is available in German and French only - Forschung und die Anwendung von Kenntnissen, die aus der Forschung gewonnen wurden, sind oft mit hohen Erwartungen und Chancen verbunden. Sie können unter Umständen aber auch bedeutende Risiken für Sicherheit und Gesundheit schaffen. Zum einen können Kenntnisse missbraucht werden, um beabsichtigt und gezielt Schaden zuzufügen. Zum anderen können Forschung und ihre Anwendung auch zu unbeabsichtigten und manchmal auch zu unerwarteten Schäden führen.

PDF243.58 kB

31 December 2014

Ethical treatment of fish

The demand for edible fish in Switzerland is constantly rising. The majority of the fish consumed in Switzerland, both from wild fisheries and from fish farms, is imported. As in other countries, there are also plans in Switzerland to encourage the breeding and raising of salt-water and freshwater fish in aquaculture for the domestic market.

EKAH-Bericht_Ethischer Umgang mit Fischen_2014_EN.pdf

PDF2.10 MB

31 August 2012

Release of genetically modified plants. Ethical requirements

There is little argument that releasing genetically modified plants involves risks. Opinion varies on what these risks are and what their consequences might be. What requirements should be imposed on the experimental and commercial release of such plants from an ethical standpoint, and in particular with regard to the ethics of risk? In December 2011 the ECNH presented a statement on these questions at a public event in Bern. The statement was well received, although it did come in for some criticism. In response to certain aspects of this criticism, the ECNH decided to clarify its considerations regarding the issues discussed in this report.

EKAH-Bericht_Freisetzung von GV-Pflanzen_2012_EN.pdf

PDF2.32 MB

31 May 2010

Synthetic biology. Ethical considerations

Synthetic biology is based on the idea of modifying living organisms in a controlled and targeted manner, or constructing them from scratch. Is it possible to create new living organisms? If so, is it also ethically justifiable? In the view of the majority of the ECNH, future developments must be monitored, but there is no fundamental objection to synthetic biology.

EKAH-Bericht_Synthetische Biologie_2010_EN.pdf

PDF1.50 MB

30 April 2008

The dignity of living beings with regard to plants. Moral consideration of plants for their own sake

The Federal Constitution has three forms of protection for plants: the protection of biodiversity, species protection, and the duty to take the dignity of living beings into consideration when handling plants. The constitutional term "living beings" encompasses animals, plants and other organisms. At legislative level, the Gene Technology Act limits the scope of the term to animals and plants.

EKAH-Bericht_Die Würde der Kreatur bei Pflanzen_2008_EN.pdf

PDF2.56 MB

31 May 2006

Research on Primates. An ethical Evaluation

In a joint report, the Federal Commission for Animal Experimentation and the CENH call for greater restraint in the authorisation of experiments on primates. An interdisciplinary assessment of the research objective is deemed absolutely essential. Furthermore, the vast majority take the view that there is a level of distress which is generally unacceptable for the animals and cannot be outweighed by any human interests whatsoever.

EKAH-Bericht_Forschung an Primaten_2006_EN.pdf

PDF1.59 MB

30 September 2004

Gene Technology and Developing Countries

While supporters of gene technology welcome its promotion as a means of fighting hunger in developing and newly industrialised countries, detractors warn against the negative consequences of this technology in such countries. Both camps regard themselves as advocates of people in the "South".

EKAH-Bericht_Gentechnik und Entwicklungsländer_2004_EN.pdf

PDF2.19 MB

31 March 2003

Gene Technology for Food

Ethical considerations for the marketing of genetically modified foodstuffs and animal feed.

EKAH-Bericht_Gentechnik fürs Essen_2003_EN.pdf

PDF753.44 kB

31 December 2001

Patents on animals and plants. A contribution to discussion

Developments in biotechnology and genetic engineering also pose a challenge for patent law. This challenge is not only of a legal nature, but also of an ethical one. The currently applicable regulations on patenting exclude the patenting of plant varieties and animal species. Patents on animals and plants are permissible. The possibility of patenting inventions derived from living organisms has been the subject of public controversy for some time. The ECNH has therefore taken on the task of summarizing the arguments raised in the public arena and presenting its own preliminary considerations for discussion.

EKAH-Bericht_Patente auf Tiere und Pflanzen_2001_EN.pdf

PDF53.30 kB

28 February 2001

The Dignity of Animals

The aim of the joint report of the ECNH and the Federal Committee on Animal Experiments is to contribute, from an ethical and a practical perspective, to the public debate on the relationship between humans and animals in general and on the ethically acceptable handling of animals in particular. Proposals are made on how humans' handling of animals is to be regulated with regard to the dignity of creation in the Animal Protection Law.

EKAH-Bericht_Die Würde des Tieres_2001_EN.pdf

PDF976.79 kB