Genetic editing promises to save carrots

An alliance between companies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is applying gene editing to create disease-resistant carrots, with the potential to reduce losses by up to 50% in global production. The initiative involves the application of the GEiGS® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology, which acts directly on the plant's own genome, without inserting external genes, and is considered "non-transgenic" under various regulations. The project focuses on high-precision varieties that combine resistance to foliar and soil-borne diseases with traditional genetic improvement. Carrots are among the most cultivated vegetables in the world, with annual production exceeding 45 million tons and a market forecast of over £25 billion by 2030, but they face serious productivity and quality challenges caused by pathogens. The GEiGS® technology uses targeted gene silencing, reusing non-coding regions of the plant's own genome to reinforce its natural defenses. The developed ...