High adoption of gene-edited crop seeds is expected in the next five to ten years, a new report by Rabobank suggests.

Although the exact timeline for the adoption of gene-editing (GE) seeds is hard to estimate, researchers expect that adoption rates will surpass 50% within five to ten years.

According to the USDA, 169 applications for GE products were submitted in the United States from 2011 to 2020.

These applications covered plants that are for human consumption, feed, industrial uses, and some microorganisms for industry.

…

Chia-Kai Kang, farm inputs analyst at Rabobank, says that GE technology has the potential to solve issues across the food supply chain for all stakeholders.

“It can increase crop productivity without expanding farmland area, reduce food waste, reduce harmful substances in food, and reduce pesticide use, among other things.”

According to Kang, there are at least five factors that will determine if a GE crop can achieve a high adoption rate.

These include product performance, such as quality, yield, and consistency in performance; and possible long-term risks, such as allergic and toxic reactions.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here