Alexander Hissting

Looking back, in addition to the specialist training I received at university, the opportunity to get involved in politics during my studies was absolutely central to my professional career. Early on, in 1993, I committed myself to opposing the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) plants. This was triggered by the first release of GM agricultural crops (sugar beet) 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 disputes with KWS employees and the lively interest shown by journalists were a good school.

In the following years, genetic engineering resistance became established in Witzenhausen and shaped my entire studies. Without the benevolent environment at the university and sufficient teaching staff who appreciated and supported my commitment, either my studies or my genetic engineering work would have fallen by the wayside. I still give a lot of credit for that to individuals today.

In the years after graduating in 1998, I shuttled between an alp in Graubünden, extensive travel and further work in Witzenhausen that was critical of genetic engineering. According to the career guide, this was certainly 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 on what to do with a degree.

In the end, it was my voluntary work that landed me my first permanent job. Greenpeace had become aware of my genetic engineering work, first hired me for a research assignment and then referred me to a vacant position as an agricultural campaigner in Hamburg. I was absolutely thrilled when I actually moved to the Elbe metropolis in 2002. I was able to continue working on "my" issue, but I was now surrounded by a whole team of colleagues with whom I could devise long-term strategies, intensive campaigns and creative ideas for action. In contrast to before, as part of a student initiative, I now had an international organization behind me, which gave me a much greater voice and 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 management consultancy where ecological principles were just as important as direct and trustworthy access to companies in the food industry.

One of our first clients was the Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik (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 food produced in this way. VLOG has been standing on its own two feet since 2016 and was able to hire three employees, including myself as Managing Director. Since then, the "start-up" has grown into a veritable trade association with 30 employees.

Even though I've been working on the same topic for 28 years now, I've never been bored for a second. I am fortunate to be able to work from a wide variety of perspectives and with a wide variety of means for the cause close to my heart; as a student activist, as part of an international pressure group and as the head of a trade 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 pointless. In ten years' time, all seeds would be genetically modified anyway. Today, not a single GM plant grows in the field in Germany. 60 percent of poultry meat production and 70 percent each of egg and milk production in Germany are certified according to the VLOG "Ohne Gentechnik" standard. Over 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 the following advice: Do what interests you, what occupies you. Don't look at career and pay. You have to be happy with what you do and be fully committed to it. Then it will be a good thing.
Self-esteem is the greatest asset you can give a young person growing up. Keep it up!