Gen Zs Lead Strong Support for Gene Editing in UK

A recent survey in the UK conducted by British Sugar reveals that 69% of UK adults strongly support gene editing to create a sustainable and resilient future for British farming. The survey also found that Gen Zs lead the call for gene editing to be used, with a staggering 80% supporting the technology.

All age groups in the survey viewed sustainability as the leading motivator, with 44% citing green credentials as a key reason for backing gene editing. Gene editing promotes sustainable farming practices and cuts emissions by improving crop efficiency and reducing water and fertilizer use. Affordability is also a key motivator, with 50% of survey respondents emphasizing the crippling food costs in recent years as a key factor. Gene editing reduces crop diseases and helps increase and guarantee food supply with more stable pricing.

British Sugar, in partnership with the John Innes Centre (JIC) and Tropic Biosciences is leading a research project on sugar beet using gene editing technology. The project, partly funded by the UK Government, will use Tropic's Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS®) technology platform to develop natural Virus Yellows resistance in sugar beet. Virus Yellows is a crop disease spread by aphids that severely affected the homegrown sugar industry in 2020, significantly impacting the livelihoods of British sugar beet growers.

For more details, read the news release from British Sugar.