The future of CRISPR gene editing according to plant scientists.

ABSTRACT

This study surveyed 669 plant scientists globally to elicit how (which outcomes of gene editing), where (which continent) and what (which crops) are most likely to benefit from CRISPR research and if there is a consensus about specific barriers to commercial adoption in agriculture. Further, we disaggregated public and private plant scientists to see if there was heterogeneity in their views of the future of CRISPR research. Our findings suggest that maize and soybeans are anticipated to benefit the most from CRISPR technology with fungus and virus resistance the most common vehicle for its implementation. Across the board, plant scientists viewed consumer perception/knowledge gap to be the most impeding barrier of CRISPR adoption. Although CRISPR has been hailed as a technology that can help alleviate food insecurity and improve agricultural sustainability, our study has shown that plant scientists believe there are some large concerns about the consumer perceptions of CRISPR.