CRISPR in agriculture: A new world of food evolution

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• February 20, 2022

Insight summary

CRISPR, a genetic editing system, holds the promise of transforming agriculture by enhancing crop yields, nutritional value, and resilience while reducing environmental impact. This technology allows for precise modifications to plant DNA, creating varieties that are more resistant to diseases, pests, and harsh environmental conditions. Its widespread use could lead to significant societal changes, including shifts in job markets, public health improvements, and altered land use.

CRISPR in agriculture context

Also called Cas9, the CRISPR genetic editing system can improve various aspects of staple crops by changing their genetic code. The goal of CRISPR-edited crops is to increase food production and crop nutrition attributes while minimizing their agricultural footprint and production costs. CRISPR advancements in the agriculture industry offer an efficient way to combat a range of threats targeting crops and their production.

CRISPR can be used to identify a specific genetic sequence of DNA within a cell and then cut/remove or replace those specific sequences in all forms of living organisms. Within agriculture, this technology has the potential to improve crops to various ends by changing or modifying their DNA with great accuracy. 

Gao Caixia, a leading plant scientist from China’s Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (within the Chinese Academy of Sciences), is growing CRISPR-modified plants that she hopes will have higher and better yields. Her team is altering genes that already exist in plants through gene editing. Over the years, they have successfully grown wild tomato plants that are hardier than domestic varieties, along with herbicide-resistant potatoes and corn, which are slow to brown when cut. They have also produced new types of bananas, strawberries, lettuce, and ryegrass.

Disruptive impact

By editing the genetic makeup of crops, scientists can create plant varieties that are more resistant to diseases and pests. This development could lead to a decrease in the use of chemical pesticides, which are often harmful to both the environment and human health. Furthermore, these disease-resistant crops could help farmers maintain high yields, even in the face of challenging growing conditions.

In addition, CRISPR can also be used to enhance the nutritional content of crops. By altering the genes responsible for nutrient production, scientists can create crops that provide more essential vitamins and minerals. This feature could have a profound impact on global health, particularly in regions where malnutrition is prevalent. It also opens up new avenues for product development and a potential solution to public health issues related to poor nutrition.

Moreover, CRISPR technology may help us adapt to the changing climate. As global temperatures rise, traditional crop varieties may struggle to thrive in the new conditions. However, by using CRISPR to edit the genes of these crops, scientists could create varieties that are more tolerant to heat, drought, or salinity. 

Implications of CRISPR in agriculture

Wider implications of CRISPR in agriculture may include: 

• Increased plant yield, quality, and disease resistance.
• Increased herbicide resistance and breeding.
• Improved product shelf life, and food safety and security.
• Reduced rates of antibiotic resistance (AMR) among crop-feeding livestock and humans.
• The need for workers skilled in biotechnology increasing, creating new job opportunities and requiring a reevaluation of educational programs to meet this demand.
• A decrease in global malnutrition rates, contributing to improved public health and reducing healthcare costs.
• Changes in land use, with less land needed for agriculture, freeing up space for rewilding initiatives and contributing to biodiversity conservation.
• The expansion of agricultural activities into previously unsuitable areas, potentially causing shifts in population distribution and demographics.
• Economic disparities as countries or companies with access to this technology gain a competitive advantage.

Questions to consider

• Can CRISPR gene editing provide an effective solution to global hunger?
• How else can gene editing affect the agricultural industry?
• Can CRISPR in agriculture be used for nefarious ends?