Gene editing techniques are a significant step forward that could have far-reaching implications for sustainability, human health, and the economy, far beyond the incremental gains of previous biotechnologies. In agriculture and aquaculture, the possible benefits include increased efficiency, production, and a wider variety of varietal repertoires. Gene editing methods in human medicine could lead to new cures and therapies for genetic illnesses, as well as better vector-borne disease controls and vaccines. Environmental gene editing applications could open up new avenues for conservation, bioremediation, and invasive species control.

Climate change puts agricultural systems, food security, and human nutrition under jeopardy. In the meanwhile, crop and livestock gene editing attempts have been made to increase performance across a variety of variables. Many of the phenotypes studied have characteristics that could help with climate change adaption. Climate change threatens the environment's future in many ways, including agriculture, biodiversity, human society, and practically every aspect of our lives. The anthropogenic input of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is the fundamental cause of climate change. The average temperature of the earth has risen by almost 1°C since 1850 as a result of human emissions. Gene editing, also known as genome editing or genome engineering, has arisen as a strategy to aid in the adaptation of organisms to climate change or to help alleviate the consequences of climate change on agriculture in response to these problems.

Gene editing is a technique for modifying DNA at specific genomic regions. These changes can result in the deletion or knockdown of one or more genes without the need for any foreign DNA to be permanently inserted. To knock-in a novel trait, genes from the organism's genepool or from other animals can be injected into exact sites within the genome. To obtain precise gene modifications, researchers have used transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), and CRISPR/Cas systems. The introduction of CRISPR/Cas systems has greatly enhanced the precision and efficiency of creating alterations, however other gene editing methods continue to play a role. The use of gene editing techniques has opened up a lot of possibilities for generating crops and livestock that can better deal with the effects of climate change.

Climate change's consequences on biodiversity are no less serious than those on agriculture. Biodiversity may suffer large declines even with only mild rises in global temperature, according to a recent meta-review of 97 studies. Climate change-related constraints on biodiversity, combined with rising agricultural demand, have exacerbated the typically hostile connection between agricultural and natural landscapes. Climate change will also have a harmful impact on livestock. Changing precipitation and rising temperatures have a direct influence on cattle, the crops used to feed them, and the diseases that infect them. All these effects are expected to boost the need for genome editing in agriculture.

Top Companies offering genome editing-

CRISPR Therapeutics

CRISPR Treatments has a distinct advantage in translating CRISPR-Cas9 technology into human therapeutics. It has obtained a human therapeutic license for the basic CRISPR-Cas9 patent estate.

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. is dedicated to improving the lives of patients by utilizing industry-leading platform technologies such as genome editing, gene therapy, gene regulation, and cell therapy. Hemophilia B and the lysosomal storage diseases MPS I and MPS II are being studied using the Company's unique zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) in vivo genome editing method. It has also conducted clinical trials in the treatment of disorders such as hemophilia A, Huntington's disease, and HIV/AIDS.