The challenges of delivering genetically modified crops with nutritional enhancement traits

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Napier, J. A., Haslam, R. P., Tsalavouta, M. and Sayanova, O. V. 2019. The challenges of delivering genetically modified crops with nutritional enhancement traits. Nature Plants. 5, pp. 563-567. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-019-0430-z

AuthorsNapier, J. A., Haslam, R. P., Tsalavouta, M. and Sayanova, O. V.
Abstract

The potential for using genetic modification (GM) to enhance the nutritional composition of crops (for either direct human consumption or as animal feed) has been recognized since the dawn of the GM era, with such ‘output’ traits being considered as distinct, if not potentially superior, to ‘input’ traits such as herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. However, while input traits have successfully been used and now form the basis of GM agriculture, output trait GM crops are still lagging behind after 20 years. This is despite the demonstrable benefits that some nutritionally enhanced crops would bring and the proven value of GM technologies. This Review considers the present state of nutritional enhancement through GM, highlighting two high-profile examples of nutritional enhancement—Golden Rice and omega-3 fish oil crops—systematically evaluating the progress, problems and pitfalls associated with the development of these traits. This includes not just the underlying metabolic engineering, but also the requirements to demonstrate efficacy and field performance of the crops and consideration of regulatory, intellectual property and consumer acceptance issues.

KeywordsAgriculture; Intellectual-property rights; Plant biotechnology; Technology
Year of Publication2019
JournalNature Plants
Journal citation5, pp. 563-567
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-019-0430-z
Open accessPublished as green open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeTPM - Tailoring Plant Metabolism - Work package 1 (WP1) - High value lipids for health and industry
Designing oilseeds for nutrition and health
Publisher's version
Copyright license
Publisher copyright
Accepted author manuscript
Copyright license
CC BY
Supplemental file
Copyright license
Publisher copyright
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online03 Jun 2019
Publication process dates
Accepted17 Apr 2019
PublisherNature Publishing Group
ISSN2055-026X

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