French Experts Urge Using Genome Editing and Plant Biotech to Address Climate Change

Members of the French Plant Biotechnology Association (AFBV) call for a general mobilization of public and private research across Europe to ensure plant variety adaptation to climate change. The AFBV considers using new plant biotechnologies, including genome editing, as necessary for the success of this adaptation plan not only to ensure food security but also to address the impacts of climate change.

In a statement released on October 11, 2022, the AFBV says that it is the responsibility of public and private research to make every effort to quickly obtain genetic solutions that will allow plants to protect themselves against climatic hazards. However, they say that without the use of new plant biotechnologies, it will be more difficult and would take longer to respond to these new needs.

The organization called for the public sector to regain a leading role in the improvement of technologies and the search for gene function in new required traits (resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses). Breeders can only engage in this new research/development direction if public authorities provide them with a regulatory framework that allow them to market plants derived from new genetic engineering tools, such as genome editing.

For more details, visit the AFBV website.