Professor Georg Jander from the Boyce Thompson Institute recently addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, emphasizing the critical role of CRISPR technology in sparking a new green revolution in agriculture. His persuasive presentation highlighted how CRISPR could revolutionize crop production by allowing precise gene editing to enhance desirable traits and introduce new characteristics that could lead to increased yield, resilience, and nutritional value.
CRISPR technology stands as a beacon of hope for addressing many of the world's pressing food security and sustainability challenges. By editing the genes of plants, CRISPR can help create crops that are more resistant to disease, pests, and extreme weather conditions.
Dan Jenkins from Pairwise and Emily Negrin from Inari, who also spoke at the Senate, showcased real-world applications of CRISPR. They presented current projects where gene editing has successfully improved crop varieties by enhancing their qualities without compromising the plants' natural development.
The scientists' presentations are part of a broader effort to secure necessary support and funding for continued research and application of CRISPR technology in agriculture. They highlighted the need for:
The push by scientists for the Senate's support of CRISPR technology marks a crucial step towards agricultural innovation and sustainability. With proper backing, CRISPR could lead to significant advancements in food security and farming practices, benefiting both the environment and global populations.
Original article source: https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/scientists-urge-senate-to-support-crispr-for-agricultural-innovation-412.aspx