Part 1 of this volume reviews advances in gene editing techniques such as insertion-based genome edits, base editing, guide RNAs and CRISPR/Cas off targeting. Part 2 surveys applications of gene editing in key cereal and vegetable crops.

Neue Pflanzenzüchtungstechnologien wie CRISPR/Cas haben das Potenzial zur Verbesserung der Nachhaltigkeit in der Landwirtschaft. Mit den Techniken des Genome Editing können die Erträge bei gleichzeitig reduziertem Pestizideinsatz gesteigert werden. Auch an der Verbesserung des Nährwerts von Pflanzen wird weltweit geforscht. Ob die neuen Techniken allerdings in Europa zum Einsatz kommen, ist gegenwärtig fraglich. Soll Genome Editing wie die "klassische" Gentechnik reguliert werden? Und wie kann eine verantwortliche Auslegung des Vorsorgeprinzips beim Einsatz der neuen Technologien aussehen? Die politische Diskussion um die Bewertung der neuen Pflanzenzüchtungstechnologien ist in vollem Gange. Die Beiträge dieses Sammelbands präsentieren rechtliche, soziale und ethische Aspekten zum Thema, die auf einer Summer School des Instituts Technik-Theologie-Naturwissenschaften (TTN) an der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München zur Diskussion standen. Mit Beiträgen von Stephan Schleissing; Sebastian Pfeilmeier; Christian Dürnberger; Jarst van Belle; Jan Schaart; Robert van Loo; Katharina Unkel; Thorben Sprink; Aurélie Jouanin; Marinus J.M. Smulders; Hans-Georg Dederer; Brigitte Voigt; Felix Beck; João Otávio Benevides Demasi; Bartosz Bartkowski; Chad M. Baum; Alexander Bogner; Helge Torgersen; Sebastian Schubert; Anne Friederike Hoffmann; Ksenia Gerasimova; Karolina Rucinska

Genome editing is a powerful new tool for making precise alterations to an organism's genetic material. Recent scientific advances have made genome editing more efficient, precise, and flexible than ever before. These advances have spurred an explosion of interest from around the globe in the possible ways in which genome editing can improve human health. The speed at which these technologies are being developed and applied has led many policymakers and stakeholders to express concern about whether appropriate systems are in place to govern these technologies and how and when the public should be engaged in these decisions. Human Genome Editing considers important questions about the human application of genome editing including: balancing potential benefits with unintended risks, governing the use of genome editing, incorporating societal values into clinical applications and policy decisions, and respecting the inevitable differences across nations and cultures that will shape how and whether to use these new technologies. This report proposes criteria for heritable germline editing, provides conclusions on the crucial need for public education and engagement, and presents 7 general principles for the governance of human genome editing.

This book compiles the latest applications of the cutting-edge gene editing tool CRISPR/Cas in the area of crop improvement. It begins with an introduction to the technique and its application in crop plants. Next, it gives an updated overview of available delivery methods, design tools and resources in CRISPR/Cas. The book subsequently reviews the applications of CRISPR/Cas in connection with e.g. insect stress, disease stress, abiotic stress, nutritional and yield improvement in crop plants, etc. It also discusses the various regulatory, ethical and social aspects of the technique that must be kept in mind when designing experiments. In closing, the book summarizes the status quo and outlines future prospects for the tool in crop improvement and food security. Given its scope, the book will especially benefit students and researchers in food science, biotechnology, agriculture and the plant sciences.

This book serves the teachers, researchers and the students as a handy and concise reference as well as guidebook while designing and planning for use of the advanced technologies for crop improvement. The content of the book is designed to cover the latest genome engineering techniques for crop improvement. The conventional breeding has got its limitations such as non-availability of desired genes within the genepool. In many cases, breeding has been highly used and it has nearly reached its highest limit so far as the productivity and production of crops are concerned. However, with increasing need of food and decreasing resources, including water, land, labour, etc., to feed the growing population, the alternative available ways of increasing crop productivity need to be explored and exploited. Genome engineering has a wide scope that includes technologies such as genetic engineering and transgenesis, RNA technologies, CRISPR, cisgenics and subgenics for better productivity and more efficient biotic and abiotic stress management. Therefore, the book is planned to enlighten the readers with the advanced technologies with examples and case studies, whenever possible. Efforts will be made to emphasize on general efforts on various major food crops; however, it would also be made clear that such efforts could be taken as proofs of concepts and that this could be extrapolated keeping the demand in mind.

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.