National

Our Expert Voices conversation on food security.

Three developments are dramatically changing the process of crop improvement:

There's been a phenomenal increase in speed and decrease in cost of DNA sequencing.

Targeted editing of one or a limited number of specific genes can be used to improve traits without otherwise altering the genome.

DNA sequence information from across the entire genome is being used to dramatically speed the pace of plant breeding.

Agriculture and global food security will benefit most from these new technologies under the following scenarios:

They are applied with highest priority to the 3 major food crops of the world — maize, wheat, and rice — by both public and private sector efforts

Relatively fast and simple gene editing can be adapted to address traits such as disease resistance or micronutrient deficiencies that are most important to the developing world — and not economically attractive as targets for the private sector.

A globally-accepted, science-based regulatory system should be adopted that facilitates, rather than hinders, safe use of such new technologies

Bottom line: We have the tools to improve crops but also need wise management of water resources and soil fertility, along with appropriately optimizing farm sizes, land tenure, and access to markets. These will be just as important as advances in crop improvement.

Pamela Ronald, plant geneticist, UC Davis, Focus on results new technologies bring

Henk Hobbelink, agronomist, GRAIN, Support small farmers

Eric Schulze, molecular biologist, Memphis Meats, Science can't be at the expense of culture

Genetic modification is an important tool

Science

Expert Voices

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Our Expert Voices conversation on food security." data-vars-click-url="http://rbl.ms/2rXVmaW" data-vars-content-id="a526152d-bec4-4fda-af0b-86cc596eeb06" data-vars-headline="Genetic modification is an important tool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://rbl.ms/2rXVmaW" target="_blank">Our Expert Voices conversation on food security.</a>Three developments are dramatically changing the process of crop improvement:<ol><li>There&#x27;s been a phenomenal increase in speed and decrease in cost of DNA sequencing.</li><li>Targeted editing of one or a limited number of specific genes can be used to improve traits without otherwise altering the genome.</li><li>DNA sequence information from across the entire genome is being used to dramatically speed the pace of plant breeding.</li></ol>Agriculture and global food security will benefit most from these new technologies under the following scenarios:<ul><li>They are applied with highest priority to the 3 major food crops of the world — maize, wheat, and rice — by both public and private sector efforts</li><li>Relatively fast and simple gene editing can be adapted to address traits such as disease resistance or micronutrient deficiencies that are most important to the developing world — and not economically attractive as targets for the private sector.</li><li>A globally-accepted, science-based regulatory system should be adopted that facilitates, rather than hinders, safe use of such new technologies</li></ul>Bottom line: We have the tools to improve crops but also need wise management of water resources and soil fertility, along with appropriately optimizing farm sizes, land tenure, and access to markets. These will be just as important as advances in crop improvement.Other voices in the conversation:Pamela Ronald, plant geneticist, UC Davis, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Focus on results new technologies bring" data-vars-click-url="http://rbl.ms/2r6rzcx" data-vars-content-id="a526152d-bec4-4fda-af0b-86cc596eeb06" data-vars-headline="Genetic modification is an important tool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://rbl.ms/2r6rzcx" target="_blank">Focus on results new technologies bring</a>Henk Hobbelink, agronomist, GRAIN, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Support small farmers" data-vars-click-url="http://rbl.ms/2rsR1Jj" data-vars-content-id="a526152d-bec4-4fda-af0b-86cc596eeb06" data-vars-headline="Genetic modification is an important tool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://rbl.ms/2rsR1Jj" target="_blank">Support small farmers</a>Eric Schulze, molecular biologist, Memphis Meats, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Science can&#x27;t be at the expense of culture" data-vars-click-url="http://rbl.ms/2rnV8LK" data-vars-content-id="a526152d-bec4-4fda-af0b-86cc596eeb06" data-vars-headline="Genetic modification is an important tool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://rbl.ms/2rnV8LK" target="_blank">Science can&#x27;t be at the expense of culture</a>

Deborah Delmer, plant biologist

Stories

Genetic modification is an important tool