Agriculture is experiencing a technological inflection point in its history, while also facing unprecedented challenges posed by human population growth and global climate changes. Key advancements in precise genome editing and new methods for rapid generation of bioengineered crops promise to both revolutionize the speed and breadth of breeding programmes and increase our ability to feed and sustain human population growth. Although genome editing enables targeted and specific modifications of DNA sequences, several existing barriers prevent the widespread adoption of editing technologies for basic and applied research in established and emerging crop species. Inefficient methods for the transformation and regeneration of recalcitrant species and the genotype dependency of the transformation process remain major hurdles. These limitations are frequent in monocotyledonous crops, which alone provide most of the calories consumed by human populations. Somatic embryogenesis and de novo induction of meristems — pluripotent groups of stem cells responsible for plant developmental plasticity — are essential strategies to quickly generate transformed plants. Here we review recent discoveries that are rapidly advancing nuclear transformation technologies and promise to overcome the obstacles that have so far impeded the widespread adoption of genome editing in crop species. This Perspective reviews recent advances in crop transformation technologies that promise to lead to the widespread adoption of genome editing in crop species.
— Read on www.nature.com/articles/s41477-022-01295-8
Tag Archives: gene editing
Orange-colored bananas? New variety packed with 10x the vitamin A developed in Uganda provides essential nutrients for children and pregnant women – if approved – Genetic Literacy Project
Research has shown promising results, with the transgenic banana variety having 100 percent vitamin A content. The fortified variety has a more golden colour when compared with ordinary bananas.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/10/18/orange-colored-bananas-new-variety-packed-with-10x-the-vitamin-a-developed-in-uganda-provides-essential-nutrients-for-children-and-pregnant-women-if-approved/
Researchers in Japan Identify Genes to Help Crops Against Flooding- Crop Biotech Update (October 5, 2022) | ISAAA.org
Researchers in Japan Identify Genes to Help Crops Against Flooding- Crop Biotech Update (October 5, 2022) | ISAAA.org
— Read on www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp
Should genetically engineered seeds be patented? – Genetic Literacy Project ‘
Should genetically engineered seeds be patented? – Genetic Literacy Project
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/gmo-faq/should-genetically-engineered-seeds-be-patented/
Prospective UK precision breeding bill could unshackle gene editing from outdated GMO regulations – Genetic Literacy Project
“There is a huge body of scientific evidence that modern genetic manipulation tools, whether that’s CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing or other methodologies, are frankly safer than the methodologies that have historically been used for the last hundred years,” said Neil Ward
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/08/24/prospective-uk-precision-breeding-bill-could-unshackle-gene-editing-from-outdated-gmo-regulations/
‘Smart plants’: The next generation of crops will have genetic on-off switches – Genetic Literacy Project
Climate change is going to put a severe strain on the ability of the world’s plants to survive. Entire ecosystems could collapse with the loss of key
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/08/23/smart-plants-the-next-generation-of-crops-will-have-genetic-on-off-switches/
‘Feed Your Mind’: FDA releases guide on GMOs, emphasizing their safety, sustainability and occasional nutritional advantages – Genetic Literacy Project
GMO foods have been available to consumers since the early 1990s. Since then, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have worked to ensure that GMOs are safe for people, animals, and the environment. Despite there being a wide range of foods—GMO and non-GMO—available to consumers, there is some confusion around what GMOs are and how they are used in our food supply. To help increase consumer understanding of GMOs, in 2017, Congress provided funding for an Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative, which calls upon FDA to work with EPA and USDA to share science-based educational information about GMOs, beginning with answers to some basic GMO questions.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/08/08/feed-your-mind-fda-releases-guide-on-gmos-emphasizing-their-safety-sustainability-and-occasional-nutritional-advantages/
Viewpoint: Millions face food insecurity. Following ‘green hysteria’ in rejecting pesticides and fertilizers will make this crisis worse – Genetic Literacy Project
From 2023, the European Union will allocate 25 per cent of its direct agriculture payment budget to “eco-payments” for carbon and organic farmers. They do this as the world experiences historic starvation levels.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/07/15/viewpoint-millions-face-food-insecurity-following-green-hysteria-in-rejecting-pesticides-and-fertilizers-will-make-this-crisis-worse/
Podcast: Gene editing and public acceptance — Agricultural economist Brandon McFadden on regulatory differences in agriculture and medicine for using CRISPR – Genetic Literacy Project
Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas, TALEN or other tools allows scientists to make directed and precise changes in DNA. The technologies promise to transform
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/06/20/podcast-gene-editing-and-public-acceptance-agricultural-economist-brandon-mcfadden-on-regulatory-differences-in-agriculture-and-medicine-for-using-crispr/
Gene editing makes list of top 6 agricultural technology innovations – Genetic Literacy Project
Thanks to advancements in technology, farmers can now do things that were once impossible. The agriculture industry is constantly evolving from drones
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/06/08/gene-editing-makes-list-of-top-6-innovations-in-agricultural-technology/