The future of plant biotechnology in a globalized and environmentally endangered world

Abstract

This paper draws on the importance of science-based agriculture in order to throw light on the way scientific achievements are at the basis of modern civilization. An overview of literature on plant biotechnology innovations and the need to steer agriculture towards sustainability introduces a series of perspectives on how plant biotech can contribute to the major challenge of feeding our super population with enough nutritious food without further compromise of the environment. The paper argues that science alone will not solve problems. Three major forces -science, the economy and society -shape our modern world. There is a need for a new social contract to harmonize these forces. The deployment of the technologies must be done on the basis of ethical and moral values.

Applications of Biotechnology for Characterization of Plants and Pests as the Key Components of Plant Protection and Production Strategies: A Review

“…In order to address these challenges, biotechnology is now considered as a series of enabling technologies, which each involve the genetic elucidation and manipulation of living organisms or their subcellular components to develop useful products, processes and services. Plant Biotechnology, in particular, encompasses applications of a wide range of scientific discoveries involving the explanation and exploitation of genetic potential and developmental systems in plants (Lebeda and Pokorný, 2012;Halford, 2012;Van Montagu, 2020). Biotechnological tools have been extensively utilized for the characterization and conservation of plant genetic resources for ensuring their sustainable conservation and utilization for enhancing the bioeconomy (Ruane and Sonnino, 2006;Laurentin 2009;Misra and Srivastava, 2016;Singh, 2016;Liu et al, 2017).…”

“…There are three major intertwined forces that are the basis of modern civilization and shape the modern world namely science (advanced skills and state of the art facilities), society (educated and energetic personnel to manipulate the science) and economy (the financial power of the society to manipulate the science and then produce novel products and services (Van Montagu, 2020). Accordingly, effective pest characterization requires full-fledged resources (skilled and knowledgeable personnel, advanced systems and most costly inputs) to characterize plant and pests whose identification is complex due their interaction with environment and weather factors or climate changes (Juroszek and Von Tiedemann, 2013).…”

“…required biomass for food, feed, fiber, and other industry so as to ultimately attain SDG-2 (FAO, 2018a, Van Montagu 2020. However, agriculture in the 21st century will continue to face multiple, inter-connected challenges all over the world (FAO, 2018b;Aguilar and Patermann, 2020).…”

Brown biotechnology: a powerful toolbox for resolving current and future challenges in the development of arid lands

“…The world will face hydroclimatic events that could strongly impact fragile arid zones, in which droughts [161], which are classified as the greatest natural threats in the world [162], will reshape entire areas of the planet. Improving the efficiency of using the available water sources will not only increase food production but will also be key for the operation and maintenance of life on the planet.…”

An Overview of the Genetics and Genomics of the Urochloa Species Most Commonly Used in Pastures

“…Currently, climate change and human population growth are increasing the demand for the global production of foods ( Montagu, 2020 ), including milk and meat. Given this scenario, investment in genomic research to develop advanced breeding resources and tools is necessary to support the rapid and continuous development of improved tropical forage grasses to be used in pastures to feed livestock ( Pereira et al, 2018 ; Simeão et al, 2021 ).…”