Genetically Modified (GM) and Genome-Edited (GE) Plants For Achieving Sustainable Agriculture

Genetic modification (GM) and genome editing (GE) hold transformative potential for advancing sustainable agriculture by improving plant traits to meet several environmental and health objectives. GM technologies introduce favorable genes from different organisms to plants, creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while GE manipulates the plant's own genome to enhance or deter specific characteristics without introducing foreign DNA. These advancements are designed to reduce dependence on additional agricultural land, minimize chemical usage including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and enhance human health outcomes. Despite these significant benefits, regulatory processes across many countries can often be stringent and stifle innovation, slowing down the adoption and acceptance of these technologies.

This research topic aims to underscore novel research and discoveries in the field of GM and GE in agriculture, exploring both their benefits in production and environmental conservation. It seeks to probe the advancements in biotechnology that not only promise to enhance food security and quality but also align with environmental sustainability, addressing critical concerns like chemical use, resource conservation, and emission control. The goal includes an examination of the societal, health, and environmental implications to foster global acceptance of these technologies.

To gather further insights within controlled and ethical boundaries, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Production advancements and trait analysis in GM and GE plants for sustainable agriculture.
•GM and GE plants that are resistant or tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
• GM and GE plants engineered for herbicide resistance.
• Innovations in GM and GE forages to reduce rumen methanogenesis and nitrous oxide production.
• Development of GM and GE plants with increased quality and desired compounds.
• Food safety, security evaluations, and environmental risk assessments of GM foods.
• Economic, political, and social ramifications of GM and GE plant commercialization.
• Environmental and health impacts of agricultural biotechnology.
• Regulatory challenges and solutions in the deployment of GM and GE technologies.

Keywords: Genetically Modified, Sustainable, Food Production Systems, Food safety, Food security, GM crops

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.