BBSRC's Position Statement on New Crop Breeding Tools
October 29, 2014| |
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has published a position statement on new and emerging techniques for crop improvement. These techniques use precise genetic changes into plants, and are currently being used in research laboratories as a tool to help understand the function of genes.
The position statement was published after a workshop involving experts, including plant scientists, regulators and social scientists. The statement covers techniques commonly referred to as 'genome editing' and gene switching.
Professor Jackie Hunter, BBSRC Chief Executive, said "In order for farmers, both in the EU and globally, to provide a sustainable food supply, we will need to develop crop varieties with improved characteristics, such as drought tolerance, disease resistance or enhanced nutrient content. To do this we must take advantage of the wide range of techniques available in order to use the right approach for the right circumstance, such as conventional breeding, genetic modification or newer methods like genome editing."
For more information, read the BBSRC news release at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/policy/2014/141028-pr-position-statement-on-crop-breeding-techniques.aspx.
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