Use of genetic manipulation and gene editing in the Australian sugarcane industry: advances, relevance and barriers

Several significant challenges threaten the future prosperity of the Australian sugarcane industry, and technologies such as genetic modification (GM) and, potentially, gene editing (GE) offer solutions to some of these problems. Adoption of these technologies, however, raises complex ethical, environmental and socioeconomic issues that would need to be carefully considered and addressed. We provide a summary of recent advances in GM and GE technologies (both in a broad sense and specifically in sugarcane), identify areas where strategic investment in GM and GE might be most relevant, and provide an assessment of current barriers to adoption for these technologies. The intent is to stimulate discussion and provide a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning in the industry.