Genome editing with CRISPR and other tools is an exciting new technology with myriad applications from human health to industrial biotechnology. Gene editing [technology] has tremendous potential for applications in agriculture…. This sort of development and innovation is important because the global agricultural sector faces many challenges and opportunities including:
- Feeding a growing global population without encroaching on remaining wild lands
- Growing crops in an environment that increasingly involves more heat and water stress events driven by climate change
- Striving to reduce the carbon footprint of farming while also aiding footprint reductions for other industries such as animal production, fuels and plastics
- Playing a positive role in net global carbon sequestration
- Managing new and intensified pest challenges driven by pesticide resistance and climate shifts
- Creating crops with novel consumer-oriented characteristics to enhance food enjoyment and health
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Fortunately, these challenges are being addressed through extensive efforts by both public and private R&D entities.
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