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The promise of modern genomics is revolutionizing the world of crop breeding, allowing scientists to introduce speed, precision, and the ability to solve multiple problems at once to the traditional process. This is exemplified by North Carolina-based startup Pairwise, which is using the gene-editing technology Crispr to create seedless, thornless, higher-yielding blackberry plants. With the potential to benefit consumers, farmers, and the environment, this breakthrough could mark the beginning of a new agricultural era.
Background & Context
Crop breeding has traditionally been a slow and haphazard process, with scientists making small tweaks to plant genetics over the course of decades in an attempt to achieve desired traits. However, this approach has its limitations, and the development of gene-editing technologies like Crispr has opened up new possibilities for the industry.
Pairwise, a company founded in 2017, is at the forefront of this revolution. By leveraging the precision of Crispr, the company is working to create a range of novel crops that are optimized for consumer, farmer, and environmental benefit. These include not only the triple-threat blackberry but also peaches without pits, row crops resistant to disease, and fruit and nut trees that produce their first harvest within a year or two rather than three to eight.
Key Details
Pairwise has received over 50 regulatory approvals for five edited crops in nine countries, but it has only one creation for sale, a high-yielding blackberry variety available in limited quantities in Colombia. The company launched the first Crispr product in the US in 2023, a less bitter mustard green, but it said it was discontinuing the product in early 2024 in favor of developing other gene-edited crops.
Julius Beau Lucks, a scientist at Pairwise, notes that historically there has been significant pushback against genetic engineering in agriculture. However, he believes that Crispr represents a significant step forward, as it allows for more precise and targeted genetic modifications. "Crispr is a game-changer because it gives us the ability to make precise changes to the genome without introducing foreign DNA," he explains.
What Experts Say
Industry analysts are cautious in their predictions for the success of gene-edited crops, citing the lingering unpopularity of GMOs despite decades of scientific evidence that they do not harm human health or the environment. However, many experts believe that Crispr represents a safer and more useful technology than traditional GMOs, and that it has the potential to revolutionize the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Pairwise is using Crispr to create a range of novel crops that are optimized for consumer, farmer, and environmental benefit.
- The company has received over 50 regulatory approvals for five edited crops in nine countries.
- Crispr represents a significant step forward in the development of gene-edited crops, allowing for more precise and targeted genetic modifications.
- Industry analysts are cautious in their predictions for the success of gene-edited crops, citing the lingering unpopularity of GMOs.
What This Means For You
The development of gene-edited crops has the potential to revolutionize the food industry, providing consumers with healthier and more sustainable options. For farmers, the benefits of gene-edited crops could include increased yields, improved disease resistance, and reduced environmental impact. However, the success of this technology will depend on the ability of companies like Pairwise to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and win over consumer acceptance.
As the world of agriculture continues to evolve, it is clear that gene-edited crops will play a major role in shaping the future of food. While there are challenges ahead, the potential benefits of this technology make it an exciting and promising development in the industry.
English (US) ·