Crop improvement using the CRISPR/Cas9 system

Abstract

With the worlds population constantly growing, the demand for food grows higher and higher. By using many different genome editing technologies, such the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the quality of crops being produced can be improved to meet the rising demands of this world. Scientists can create crops with resistance to biotic or abiotic stresses, to counter deteriorating environmental conditions, and provide immediate improvement to existing crops. All of this will be done by using the above technology to change the plants performance and heredity. Due to the precision of this new technology, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is much more efficient than any conventional crop breeding methods or genetic engineering methods previously utilized. The technology not only improves the crops nutrition but helps the crops fight off pests and thrive in tough environmental factors such as drought. This study will discuss not only how these technologies work but how they can be improved in the future with further development.