Does RNAi-Based Technology Fit within EU Sustainability Goals?

Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning; Bruno Mezzetti; Gijs Kleter; Guy Smagghe; Elena Baraldi

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.008

Does RNAi-Based Technology Fit within EU Sustainability Goals?

Trends Biotechnol. 2021 Jul;39(7):644-647. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.008. Epub 2020 Dec 5.

Authors

Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning¹, Bruno Mezzetti², Gijs Kleter³, Guy Smagghe⁴, Elena Baraldi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: tiziClauvis.taningnji@UGent.be.
² Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
³ Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
⁵ Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, viale Fanin 44, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: elena.baraldi@unibo.it.

PMID: 33288312
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.008

Abstract

European Union (EU) and global sustainability policies emphasize the need to replace contentious pesticides with safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternatives to ensure sustainable food production. However, R&D for alternatives to contentious pesticides are lagging behind and need to be broadened. Here, we discuss how RNAi-based technology can contribute to pesticide risk reduction.

Keywords: Green Deal; RNA interference; agriculture; integrated pest management; pesticides; sustainability.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Agriculture*
European Union
Goals
Pest Control* / trends
Pesticides
RNA Interference*
Sustainable Growth
Technology / trends

Substances

Pesticides