New techniques in agricultural biotechnology

This Explanatory Note on New Techniques in Agricultural Biotechnology (new breeding techniques) responds to a request made to the High Level Group of Scientific Advisors by Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. The Note provides a scientific and technical description of a wide range of breeding techniques used in agriculture in plants, animals and microorganisms, which are grouped under umbrella terms that reflect both historic and recent developments in breeding techniques, namely: conventional breeding techniques, established techniques of genetic modification, and new breeding techniques. The Note compares the various techniques according to a variety of criteria including: the maturity of the technique, the speed and cost with which the desired outcome can be achieved, and the ability to detect and identify changes in end products resulting from the employment of these techniques.