Genome Editing in Agriculture: Methods, Applications, and Governance

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) released an Issue Paper titled Genome Editing in Agriculture: Methods, Applications, and Governance. CAST explains that genome editing is a powerful new method that enables unprecedented control over genetic material and offers the opportunity to make rapid advances that influence agricultural practices. Thus, the issue paper addresses the concept by explaining the following topics:

• how genome editing is performed,
• what types of edits can be made,
• how the process relates to traditional breeding and other means of genetic modification,
• what potential limitations may arise with this approach, and
• what current factors affect the governance of gene editing.

Although much remains to be learned, it is clear that successful development of genome editing for crop and livestock improvement will benefit from science-informed, value-attentive regulation that promotes both innovation and transparency. The new resource aimed at providing a conceptual and knowledge-based foundation for regulatory agencies, policymakers, private and public research institutions, industry, and the general public.

Download a copy of the report from the CAST website.