Alexander Hissting

In addition to the technical education at university, in retrospect the opportunity for political commitment during my studies was absolutely central to my professional career. Early on, in 1993, I committed myself to the resistance against the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. The trigger was the first release of agricultural GM crops (sugar beets) in Germany by Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG (KWS) just south of Einbeck. A six-week field occupation on site was like an intensive course in genetic engineering. The discussions with like-minded people, the verbal arguments with KWS employees or the lively interest of journalists were a good school.

In the following years, the resistance to genetic engineering became established in Witzenhausen and shaped my entire studies. Without the benevolent environment at the university and enough teachers who appreciated and supported the commitment, either the studies or the genetic engineering work would have fallen by the wayside. I still credit individuals very highly for this today.

In the years following my diploma in 1998, I commuted between an alp in Graubünden, extensive travels and further work in Witzenhausen critical of genetic engineering. Certainly, according to the career guide, this was not the most straightforward path to professional success. But even then I was convinced that it was more important to be at peace with myself than to follow the advice about what one should do with a degree.

In the end, it was my volunteer work that got me my first permanent job. Greenpeace had become aware of my genetic engineering work, first hired me for a research assignment and then pointed me toward a vacant position as an agricultural campaigner in Hamburg. I was completely thrilled when I actually moved to the metropolis on the Elbe in 2002. I could continue to work on "my" issue, but was now surrounded by a whole team of colleagues with whom I could devise long-term strategies, intensive campaigns and creative action ideas. In contrast to before, as part of a student initiative, I was now, with an international organization behind me, much more heard and had the chance to influence business and politics.

Eight years at Greenpeace were formative and instructive. But in 2010 it was time to move on. I was given the opportunity to join a small consultancy, for which ecological principles were just as important as direct and trusting access to companies in the food industry.

One of the first clients was the Association of Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG). The young association, founded in 2010, was looking for an agency to manage its business. VLOG represents the interests of the GMO-free feed and food industry and awards the state "Ohne GenTechnik" seal for appropriately produced food. Since 2016, VLOG has stood on its own two feet and has been able to hire three employees, including myself as managing director. Since then, the "startup" has become a veritable trade association with 30 employees.

Even though I have been working on one and the same topic for 28 years now, I have never been bored for a second. I have been fortunate to be able to champion my cause from a wide variety of perspectives and with a wide variety of means; as a student activist, as part of an international pressure group, and as the head of a business association.

In 1993, an older employee of KWS thought he had to give me the fatherly advice that my commitment against agro-genetic engineering was futile. In ten years, all seeds would be genetically modified anyway. Today, not a single GM plant grows in the open in Germany. 60 percent of poultry meat production and 70 percent each of egg and milk production in Germany are certified according to the "Ohne Gentechnik" standard of the VLOG. More than 14,000 foods bear the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal and represent annual consumer spending of around 11 billion euros. I am glad to have played my part in this development and grateful for the opportunities and support I received in Witzenhausen.

Mark Spoelstra: Alexander, well done!!!! I have always given my children and students along the way: Do what interests you, what keeps you busy. Don't look at your career and pay. You have to be happy with what you do and stand behind it. Then it will be something good.
Self-esteem is the highest good that you can give an adolescent on the way. Keep it up!