Conventional
genetic engineering has caused much controversy. However, new techniques are
emerging that allow "edit" directly the genetic code of plants to
make them, for example, more nutritious or more resilient to a changing
climate. These new techniques include the ZFN, TALENS and, more recently, the
CRISPR-Cas9 system. Great advances are also expected in the use of RNA
interference (RNAi) in crops.
A more
precise genome editing could allay the fears of consumers, especially if the
plant or animal is not considered resulting transgenic because no foreign
genetic material is introduced. In addition, overall, these techniques promise
to advance agricultural sustainability, reducing input use in multiple areas,
from land to water and fertilizers, and helping crops adapt to climate change.
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