Genome editing points to the future of the seed market

The panel "New Products: From Research and Development to Market" highlighted the advances and regulatory and market challenges related to genetic editing in agriculture. 

This technology is increasingly being utilized by companies of all sizes, which gathered to discuss this topic at the Seed Congress of the Americas (SAA) 2024.

The program featured the presence of Chilean company Neocrop Technologies, along with key industry professionals such as Christine Shyu (Bayer), Carlos Perez (BioHeuris), Claudia Nari (Inari), Ezequiel Bossio (INTA), and Dan Jenkins (Pairwise). Fan-Li Chou from the American Seed Trade Association moderated the panel.

This panel demonstrated that genetic editing is rapidly expanding among multinational corporations and startups, which have already raised significant investment rounds. Even the Argentine government is investing in projects associated with this technology.

Daniel Norero (left)

Daniel Norero, COO of Neocrop Technologies, presented Chile's situation as a global leader in providing counter-season research and development (R&D) services in the seed sector. He highlighted ongoing research with genome editing in the country and revealed some of Neocrop Technologies' projects.

One of the main projects is the development of an edited wheat seed with high fiber content and drought tolerance. Two other notable projects were anthracnose-resistant edited white lupine and edited oats with high beta-glucan content.

Norero also presented the launch of Neocrop Technologies' new molecular marker and rapid breeding service. According to him, this innovative technology already has customers in the seedling, forestry, and fruit sectors.

The executive also shared his optimistic vision about advancing CRISPR and genetic editing at the regulatory and commercial levels. He cited recent Rabobank reports on the global adoption of this technology as a reference.

Additionally, he pointed to analyses by emerging market risk assessors, stating that there are opportunities for this technology in Asia. Finally, he presented studies showing a more favorable perception of genetic editing by consumers.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)