Gene editing is a new tool in the plant breeding toolbox.
Plant breeding is a collection of scientific disciplines. It involves many different tools all used to develop plants that meet the needs of farmers and the needs of a changing world. These tools provide solutions to global challenges by developing improved varieties that are better adapted to withstand diseases, pests, climate change, and other threats and offering better quality. Gene editing is one tool that plant breeders and scientists use to develop new varieties more efficiently.
Plant breeding is the science of developing new or improved characteristics in plants. Whether breeders use traditional crossing and selection or gene editing, these tools allow the development of characteristics from within the plant’s own gene pool. Gene editing is built on the foundation of conventional plant breeding tools and their long and safe history of beneficial use.
