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In the realm of agricultural technology, a leading collaboration in the application of gene editing in food and agriculture is set to accelerate the delivery of advanced solutions to farmers. This initiative aims to benefit both the environment and everyday consumers. Gene editing uses a plant's own DNA to make precise improvements, offering farmers a crucial tool to address food production challenges, particularly those posed by climate change.
A $25 million equity investment has been allocated to advance gene editing, with the goal of fostering agricultural innovation and creating value. This investment will aid in extending the benefits of gene editing to key crops. Additionally, efforts are underway to rapidly and broadly implement advanced gene editing technologies, aiming to increase crop production for food, fuel, and fiber, even as the impact of climate change intensifies.
Over the next five years, advanced gene editing capabilities will be utilized to develop and evaluate unique gene modifications across various crops. Leveraging extensive expertise in plant breeding and genetics, the collaboration will focus on creating and deploying gene-edited products that can withstand climate change and extreme weather events. Gene editing is expected to be a transformative technology for agriculture, enhancing climate resilience and increasing agricultural productivity to meet the needs of the growing global population.
Gene editing has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by enabling the cultivation of crops that are more adaptable to climate change, more nutritious, and more convenient for consumers. It also promises better economic benefits for farmers. Currently, significant crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, and blackberries are being developed using this technology. Innovative gene editing tools allow scientists to develop new and distinct plant varieties much faster and more effectively than through traditional breeding methods.