The Future of Genetic Engineering in Crop Improvement and Food Production
Afsanabanu Manik *
Crop Physiology Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur 584104, India.
Surekha S
Department of Crop Physiology, College of Sericulture, Chintamani-563125, India.
Srilekha K
Entomology Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur -584104, India.
Eurekha Savadatti
Department of Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur- 584104, India.
D. H. Raviteja
Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Crop Physiology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessarghatta, Bengaluru, Pin-560089, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Genetic engineering has emerged as a revolutionary tool in the field of crop improvement and food production, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance agricultural productivity and address global food security challenges. The modifications to the genetic makeup of crops, genetic engineering has facilitated the development of varieties with improved traits such as pest and disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, enhanced nutritional content, and resilience to environmental stresses. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of genetic engineering in agriculture, the historical evolution of genetic engineering technologies and their application in agriculture. The significant advancements in techniques such as CRISPRCas9, TALENs, ZFNs, and RNA interference, which have enabled targeted and efficient genetic modifications and explores the wide range of genetically modified (GM) crops that have been developed and commercialized, including Bt cotton, Roundup Ready soybeans, and Golden Rice, emphasizing their impact on crop yields and agricultural sustainability, the benefits of genetic engineering, underscoring its role in increasing crop productivity, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and herbicides, and enhancing the nutritional quality of food crops. The potential of genetic engineering to develop crops with novel traits, such as biofortified crops and those with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses, the challenges and concerns associated with genetic engineering, including regulatory and biosafety issues, environmental impacts, ethical considerations, and economic challenges, the review discusses the future prospects of genetic engineering in agriculture, considering the integration of genetic engineering with other emerging technologies like precision agriculture and digital farming. It explores the potential role of genetic engineering in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and provides predictions for the next decade, focusing on technological advancements, regulatory evolution, and market trends and the review underscores the transformative potential of genetic engineering in shaping the future of agriculture and food production.
Keywords: Genetic engineering, crop improvement, food production, crops, interference (RNAi), pest resistance, herbicide tolerance