As we reported yesterday, biotechnology is one of our best defenses against food insecurity, which has been rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. But to reap the many health, economic, and environmental benefits of it, we need to modernize regulations.
From vegetables and plant-based proteins that have a longer shelf life, to crops and food animals resistant to disease, pests, and rising temperatures, “innovations in food production could be the best defense” against food insecurity,says Nasdaq.
This could be a huge opportunity for economic growth, too: “A report from the McKinsey Global Institute suggests biological innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, and food production fields could generate economic returns of up to $1.2 trillion over the next 10-20 years,” Nasdaq continues. “That would increase the overall value of the global food and agribusiness industry by more than 20%.”
Still, GMOs and gene edited products face “uphill battles,” including bans throughout Europe and regulatory barriers in the United States. (For example, to date, only two food animals have been approved in the U.S.—one being AquaBounty’s sustainable salmon—and crop regulation needs modernization.)
But for the health of the planet and the economy, this needs to change. Gene editing has potential to "reap big benefits for both human health and the health of our environment," as Innovature put it. Now, it's time for smart, science-driven policy around the world that recognizes this.
More Agriculture and Environment News:
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