GENEEDITED FOOD: WHERE'S MY SUPER MEAL?

Can gene editing create 'superfoods' that actually live up to the hype? Well, maybe...

- EMMA BECKETT

So-called ‘superfoods’ are often touted as being beneficial for our health but the concept is mostly just marketing hype designed to sell us more expensive fruit and veg, rather than providing any actual benefits. However, with gene editing now approved by the government for use in commercial crops in England and elsewhere, that could be about to change.

Gene editing, using technologies like CRISPR/ Cas9 or TALEN, is faster and cheaper than conventional breeding techniques and less controversial than genetically modified (GMO) foods. This is because, instead of inserting whole genes from outside of the plant, as is the case with GMOs, gene editing allows for small and targeted changes to subtly alter the genetic makeup of existing crops, potentially allowing us to create foods with different properties.

We all know that fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good for us, but most people don’t eat the amount or variety recommended for good health. One of the ideas behind gene-edited crops is that nutrient levels could be boosted in certain fruits and vegetables, making it easier for us to eat a healthy, balanced diet. In fact, lots of crops based on this idea have already been produced. One example is soybean and rapeseed that has been edited with one gene suppressed to produce a healthier fat profile.