Genetically editable fruit - soon on shelves Bashny.Net

According to the researchers, recent scientific advances allow for precise genome editing, and this raises the possibility that fruits and other crops can be genetically enhanced without the need for the introduction of foreign genes.

As stated by Chidananda Nagamangala Kanchiswamy of the Agrarian Institute of San Michel (Italy), “Refusing to introduce foreign genes makes genetically editable crops more ‘natural’ than transgenic ones obtained by introducing foreign genes.”

For example, changes in the characteristics of fruit can be made with small genetic adjustments designed to increase or decrease the amount of natural ingredients that plant cells do. Fruit genome editing is now possible due to the emergence of new tools: CRISPR, Talen, and a vast and growing knowledge base.

Until now, editing tools have not been applied to the genetic modification of fruit crops. According to the researchers, genetically edited plants modified by inserting, deleting, or altering existing genes can be considered unchanged.

Kanchiswami says: “We would like people to understand that biotechnology is not limited to GMOs. Transferring foreign genes was the first step to improve our crops, but now GMOs are evolving into a "natural" strategy to use biotechnology for sustainable crops of the future.

Source: nauka24news.ru/