THE ECONOMY OF THE FUTURE WILL BE A BIO-BASED SYSTEM – NEW GDI STUDY

Rüschlikon, 6 August 2024: Biology will be the key technology over the coming decades. It is changing the structures and processes of the economy in a lasting way. A new economic form is emerging: the bio-economy. This is highlighted by the new study “The age of biology – how the relationship between humans, nature and technology is changing” by the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI). A representative survey conducted in Switzerland as part of the study also points to a shift in values from a human-centred world view to an eco-centric one. It reveals a trend towards equality for all living beings and a growing recognition of nature as an integral part of human life.

Animal-free meat, fuel made from algae and concrete made from bacteria? Today, we are on the verge of shifting from an industrial to a bio-based economy, according to a new study by the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. The long-term vision of the bio-economy is a circular economy with bio-based manufacturing processes and renewable materials. Technological breakthroughs, such as the use of bacteria to decompose plastic waste and the storage of digital data in plant DNA, are examples of the advancements being made. 

When biotechnology one day moves past the laboratory stage, microbes will become the most important raw materials in the new bio-economy. A report by Schmidt Futures, a company of former Google CEO Eric Emerson Schmidt, suggests that the global bio-economy could be worth between four and almost 30 trillion dollars by 2030.

How does the Swiss population feel about biotech and the bio-economy?   

The results of a representative survey in German-speaking Switzerland (1,001 people, 15 to 80 years old) conducted as part of the study point to a shift in values from an anthropocentric world view to an eco-centric one. Regardless of their age, gender and level of education, the majority of respondents (90%) feel a deep connection with nature. A large share of respondents are open to granting nature a legal personality.

The majority of respondents (63.4%) think that all living beings are equal and that no hierarchy should exist between different species. Only a small number (13.3%) feel partially superior to other living beings and see themselves at the top of a natural hierarchy. The vast majority (94.7%) of respondents are saddened by the destruction of nature and believe nature is worth protecting as an end in itself. Only a very small minority (2.3%) believe humans are above nature rather than part of it. The idea that nature is primarily there for people and can be used and abused at will has very few supporters. Younger people (under 50) are even more opposed to overexploitation than older people. 

Almost half of respondents (46.4%) want to protect nature from human intervention and reject the development of new, previously unexploited areas. Only around a tenth consider the preservation of untouched nature to be naïve.

Most respondents (45.9%) reject the use of science and technology to control and optimise nature. This stands in contrast to clear approval (68.7%) for new developments based on microorganisms.

However, the Swiss population approaches biotechnology and synthetic biology with caution and a keen awareness of potential risks. On the one hand, the survey results show that biotechnological methods for repairing environmental damage and overcoming health problems enjoy majority support. However, half the respondents consider the use of biotechnology to be risky, especially with regard to misuse or accidents.

Nature more important than jobs

Protecting nature is now much more important to most people (70%) than protecting jobs (4%). This applies to members of the Social Democratic Party as well as the Greens. The majority seem to perceive economic growth as the problem today and not the solution. Only 6% of respondents believe economic growth is necessary to resolve environmental problems. For 72.6%, more growth cannot ensure better protection of nature. 

People, technology and the environment as one

The GDI study indicates that the theory of the separation of humans, nature and technology cannot be maintained. In the age of biotechnology, machines can become organisms and vice versa. Nature inspires new production methods that use organic raw materials and cultivate systems rather than programming them.

Four types of change

The GDI study identifies four main types of people who reflect different perspectives on the relationship between humankind, the environment and technology, and, in turn, on the bio-economy: 

• Pragmatists focus on gradual improvements and a balanced relationship between the use of technology and nature conservation
  
• Eco-purists favour a return to nature using less technology. 
  
• Transhumanists seek ways to improve natural human capabilities through biotechnology.   
  
• Tech-optimists envisage in a fusion of people, technology and nature in the future.
  

The study “The age of biology – how the relationship between humans, nature and technology is changing” is available for download free of charge at gdi.ch/biology. ​

Media contact

Franziska Wiesner
Head of Marketing and Communications
GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
Rüschlikon
Phone +41 79 542 00 30
medien@gdi.ch  

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About the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute 

The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) is the oldest think tank in Switzerland. It researches the future using trend studies and international conferences, develops innovation strategies and trains the managers of tomorrow. Through its activities, the GDI bridges the gap between science and practice. Its focal areas are retail, nutrition and health within the context of society, technology and the environment. The GDI is also a venue for hosting business events. The GDI is an independent institute supported by the Migros Culture Percentage. www.gdi.ch