Sabine Schnadt
Deutscher Allergie- und Asthmabund e.V.
The German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) is the largest patient organization in Germany in the field of allergies. Every year, the DAAB receives thousands of inquiries from affected patients concerning allergies, asthma and atopic eczema. The DAAB also maintains networks with specialist groups such as nutritionists, physicians and clinics, pharmacies and others. In addition to educating and informing patients on individual questions as well as on new developments in relevant topics, the focus is on mutual exchange with affected patients. This is not only provided by daily counselling, but also by targeted surveys on current topics. Therefore, the DAAB is also advocate and patients’ voice for those with allergies, asthma and atopic eczema and is committed to give input on their behalf in politics, industry, medicine and research. Within the framework of LACOP, the DAAB is therefore concerned with consumer communication. The aim is to gather a picture of attitudes towards and knowledge about new breeding methods such as genome editing, as well as opinions and wishes of allergic consumers and to incorporate these into the project. For this purpose, the DAAB e.V. has conducted and or will conduct a survey of allergic consumers at the beginning and end of the project (2020). The aim is to gather knowledge and attitudes towards low allergen plants developed with the help of new breeding methods and to determine wishes regarding the characteristics of low allergen plants. These are to be incorporated into the research and thus ensure that it develops in a direction that is desired by the target group concerned. At the same time, reports and information on the research content and results are disseminated to information patients and consumers with food allergies on new breeding methods and the associated possibilities for allergy sufferers.
If you would like to learn more about the results of the consumer/patient survey, click here to open the corresponding pages of the DAAB.