According to [CasZyme founder Monika] Paulė, plant genome editing can increase the resistance of plants that are sensitive to heat, drought and saltation. The same technology can also enhance disease resistance and increase the productivity of plants, enabling farmers to get more yield from the same patch of land.
She emphasized,
CRISPR technology is rapidly improving, but science is not easily expedited. For the breakthroughs to happen earlier, CRISPR research needs more funding and more cooperation. COVID-19 showed that results may be achieved quickly when there is a perfect storm – when scientists are open and share their findings, investors believe in the necessity of the solution, and governments strongly support the initiatives.
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Experts participating in the Life Sciences Baltics panel agreed with Paulė that CRISPR will play an important role in the future of both medicine and agriculture.
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They likened it to cloning 30 years ago, and added that CRISPR democratises science by making gene editing a tool available all researchers. The possibilities seem endless however a shift in public opinion is still needed.
This does appear to be happening among younger people – and even farmers themselves – but public education needs to on every scientist’s agenda, the panel concluded.
