RNAi-Based Biocontrol Products: Market Status, Regulatory Aspects, and Risk Assessment.

Els J M Van Damme,Peter Dubruel,Guy Smagghe,Kristof De Schutter,Lenny Van Daele,Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning

doi:10.3389/finsc.2021.818037

Abstract

RNAi-Based Biocontrol Products: Market Status, Regulatory Aspects, and Risk Assessment.

Highlights

Climate change and the increasing demand for food by the growing population present enormous challenges for food security
With a population that will likely grow from 7.5 billion people today, to nearly 10 billion by 2050, the food demand will drastically increase while the available area for agriculture cannot increase without endangering biodiversity
RNA interference (RNAi)-based biocontrol has emerged as a good alternative to hazardous pesticides [4]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Climate change and the increasing demand for food by the growing population present enormous challenges for food security. With a population that will likely grow from 7.5 billion people today, to nearly 10 billion by 2050, the food demand will drastically increase while the available area for agriculture cannot increase without endangering biodiversity This takes into account that agriculture already occupies nearly 40% of the earth’s surface and irrigation of agricultural crops comprises 70% of global water use [1]. There is a pressing need for alternative, selective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solutions for pest control and crop improvement. In this context, RNA interference (RNAi)-based biocontrol has emerged as a good alternative to hazardous pesticides [4]. The exploitation of RNAi to improve plant health is a fast-growing market and while GM RNAi plants are being assessed using the existing regulatory framework, appropriate safety evaluations, and authorization procedures for SIGS-based products are less clear

MOVING TO THE MARKET

RISK ASSESSMENT

CONCLUSION

Findings

Gallus domesticus Colinus virginianus