Gene editing and agrifood systems

Abstract

When my colleagues and I first described CRISPR genome editing in 2012, my thoughts about its potential impact focused on human health. The genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease, for example, had long been known, but we had no way to address it until the discovery of CRISPR technology. Over time, it has become increasingly clear to me that the agricultural and environmental applications of CRISPR hold the potential for the most widespread impact. Genetic diseases, as unfortunately common as they are, do not touch everyone the way agriculture does. Everyone must eat. In the decade since CRISPR genome editing emerged, scientists have developed a toolkit to tackle the most pressing issues facing humanity and the planet. With the capacity to precisely edit the genomes of crop plants, we can alter nutritional content to combat malnutrition, remove toxins from staple foods like cassava, increase yields to fight hunger, and improve pest resistance, reducing the need for agrochemical inputs. Edited products could also introduce adaptations to address drought and flood resistance, increase biodiversity, and help to capture more carbon, restoring farm soils and improving the fertility of marginal lands. The benefit of CRISPR extends beyond the development of products. As a research tool it can be used to conduct genetic screens, unlocking new biological pathways and expanding our knowledge of the genome and the functional impact of mutations, all of which provide us with new options for future applications