Innovations in Plant Genome Editing and Biotechnology: Addressing Global Agricultural Challenges

Developments in genome editing and plant biotechnology in recent years, especially CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, offer essential tools for solving global agricultural problems that are worsened by climate change and the increasing food demand caused by the rising world population. This review focuses on the urgent need to feed a growing global population. It explores how key biotechnological tools can enhance crop resilience and nutritional quality amid climate variability and extreme weather. The applicability of CRISPR-Cas technologies in the development of climate-friendly, more nutritious, and higher-yielding crops has opened a biotechnological avenue for the development of both transgenic and non-transgenic genotypes, which could not be provided by different tools before. In addition to the CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi technology also presents a significant potential for broadening the plant genetic pool to obtain high-nutrient, disease, and pest-resistant, as well as both aesthetically and commercially improved plant products. This review also highlights the different types of CRISPR/Cas proteins and their application in plant genome editing. This review provides a snapshot of current country-specific approaches to regulating gene-edited crops and agrifoods, primarily focusing on the diverse regulatory stances adopted by different nations.