Search Results
Kenya’s gene-edited seeds will be affordable, scientist says
As Africa forges ahead with genome editing to boost agricultural production, a leading scientist has assured that products of this technology will be widely available and affordable to farmers. Some opponents of the technology have claimed that gene-edited seeds will be too costly for smallholder farmers…
Gene editing key to sustainable agriculture in Africa, scientists say
Africa must update its regulations to accommodate the gene-edited crops needed to sustainably intensify agriculture to feed the continent’s growing population, a new study says. “Sustainable intensification of agriculture in Africa is essential for accomplishing food and nutritional security and addressing the rising concerns of climate…
GMOs and gene editing: What’s the difference?
In our modern age of biotechnology, new tools are constantly being developed for agricultural improvement. Whether it’s DNA sequencing, plant tissue culture or gene editing, these advances are facilitating the development of better crops. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one well-known example of agricultural biotechnology. The…
Simon Sretenovic is designing the tools for a gene-edited future
For scientist Simon Sretenovic, seeing was the first step in believing. As a kid in Slovenia, Sretenovic recalls his elementary school class placing pond water under the microscope to reveal the hidden world within. He was deeply impressed by microscopy and the way that it could…
Plant microbiome: Key to weaning agriculture off chemical inputs?
All plants interact with bacteria and fungi in the soil. Some plants are especially good at it. Understanding what drives those interactions could be the secret to shifting from a chemical-based agriculture system to a biological one. The plant microbiome Plants need a host of nutrients…
In boost for agriculture, India exempts gene-edited crops from biosafety assessment
In a bold move with far-reaching consequences for the country’s agricultural development, India’s government has issued an order exempting certain gene-edited plants from stringent biosafety regulations. The move exempts SDN1 and SDN2 plants from the cumbersome and time-consuming regulations currently imposed on the commercialization of genetically modified transgenic crops. Regulators…
Gene-edited cows just secured record-fast FDA approval — here’s why
Old McDonald had a farm, it was GMO. With an oink and a moo and a…that’s about it. Though the technology behind genetic modification has been around since the 1980s, the lineup of genetically modified (GM) food animals has been limited to just one fast-growing fish and a hypoallergenic pig.
Public sector research leading LATAM’s foray into crop biotechnology
Embrapa, a government-funded, Brazil-based company, is challenging the private sector in bringing biotechnology innovations to Latin America. It’s significant that a public research institution is leading Brazil’s foray into genetically engineered crops. It ensures the research being done by Embrapa resonates with the needs of Brazilian consumers and farmers…
RNA vaccines for plants?
The threat of COVID-19 spurred innovation at unprecedented rates. Moderna and Pfizer’s RNA vaccines were approved in about a year. The impact? Hundreds of thousands of saved lives. Similar innovations have been occurring in agricultural research — albeit much more slowly. For the last 10 years, a niche group of…