Sowing the future with precision: the impact of New Genomic Techniques on agriculture

The current challenges facing agriculture

In recent decades, agriculture has faced unprecedented challenges: climate change, demographic pressure, soil degradation, and the need to produce food more sustainably and efficiently. In this context, New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) have emerged as an innovative tool that promises to transform the way new plant varieties are developed, offering rapid, precise solutions tailored to the current needs of the agri-food sector.

What are New Genomic Techniques (NGTs)?

NGTs encompass a set of advanced biotechnological tools that enable the targeted modification of organisms' genetic material.

Differences between NGTs and GMOs

Unlike genetically modified organisms (GMOs), many of the modifications generated by NGTs do not involve the incorporation of foreign DNA, resulting in products that are indistinguishable from those that could arise through natural mutations or conventional breeding.

Most commonly used tools: CRISPR/Cas and targeted mutagenesis

Among the best-known techniques are CRISPR/Cas and targeted mutagenesis, but thanks to scientific advances, we now have new and efficient tools at our disposal.

Advantages of NGTs in genetic improvement

One of the main advantages of NGTs is their precision. While traditional mutagenesis techniques (e.g., using radiation or chemicals) induce random changes in the genome, NGTs allow changes to be made at specific sites in the DNA, thereby reducing unwanted effects and increasing the efficiency of the genetic improvement process. In addition, the time required to obtain new varieties is significantly reduced, which is crucial given the urgency of adapting to changing climatic conditions or new emerging diseases.

Applications of NGTs in crops

The importance of these technologies also lies in their versatility. NGTs can be used to increase crop yields, improve resistance to pests and diseases, increase tolerance to drought or saline soils, enrich nutritional profiles, etc. All this without the need to introduce exogenous genes, which has led many countries to regulate them differently from traditional GMOs.

International regulation of NGTs 

In regions such as Latin America, countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile already have regulatory frameworks that evaluate NGT-derived products on a case-by-case basis and exclude from GMO regulations those that do not contain a new combination of genetic material or the presence of recombinant/foreign DNA. This has allowed for greater investment in research and more agile adoption by the productive sector. In the European Union, however, the regulation is still under review and discussion, although the proposal presented by the Commission in 2023 recognizes the need to adapt the legal framework to facilitate innovation while maintaining high standards of safety and transparency. It is expected that, after several years of review, the European Union will have a regulation for these techniques in place in the coming years, allowing European farmers to compete on equal terms with farmers in other geographical areas that already have regulations in this regard and preventing Europe from becoming an “Agricultural Museum.”

Contribution to sustainability and the environment

From an environmental perspective, NGTs also offer significant opportunities. For example, enabling the development of crops that are more resistant to extreme conditions can contribute to more resilient agriculture and reduce the need for inputs such as water, fertilizers, or plant protection products. Furthermore, their application can promote more diversified and sustainable agricultural systems, which is consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Challenges and considerations in its implementation

However, the implementation of NGTs also poses challenges. It is essential to have clear, proportionate, and science-based regulatory frameworks that provide legal certainty to developers and foster consumer confidence. It is also key to ensure equitable access to these technologies, preventing only a few actors from benefiting from their application.

Examples of crops developed with NGTs 

Several countries have begun to market crops developed using NGTs. Some examples include tomatoes with high GABA content in Japan, soybeans edited to improve their lipid profile, a variety of mustard edited to improve its flavor (reducing bitterness), and lettuce edited for delayed oxidation (reducing food loss). An interesting example is India, which has approved edited rice varieties that seek to improve crop productivity and resistance to adverse climatic conditions. These varieties were developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), using CRISPR-Cas9 to modify specific genes related to crop yield and resistance to extreme climatic factors such as drought or flooding. The approval of these rice varieties is of vital importance, bearing in mind that India is the world's leading exporter of this crop.

Another example “Made in Spain” is wheat with reduced gluten content, obtained using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, developed by a CSIC team led by Dr. Francisco Barro. This wheat shows a significant elimination of the genes encoding gliadin proteins, achieving a 97.7% reduction in the total content of these proteins. This development represents a significant step forward towards safer varieties for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, combining genetic precision with high efficacy. However, due to European regulations, consumers are not yet able to benefit from the advantages of this wheat.

These developments show how NGTs enable rapid responses to market demands, changing environmental conditions, and improvements in nutritional quality, ushering in a new era for agricultural innovation based on precision genetic improvement.

Conclusion: a new era for agriculture

In conclusion, New Genomic Techniques represent a strategic opportunity to address current and future challenges in agriculture. Their ability to generate precise, rapid, and sustainable improvements in cultivated plants can contribute significantly to ensuring food security, mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural production, and strengthening the competitiveness of the agri-food sector. To this end, it is essential to move towards balanced regulation that allows their potential to be exploited, without neglecting safety, transparency, and social acceptance.