2018 ASHS Annual Conference
Opportunities and Challenges for Transgenic and Gene Editing Approaches to Vegetable and Fruit Breeding *CEU Approved*
Increasing genetic variation beyond natural variation is an important aim in plant breeding. New genetic engineering emerging technologies offer the possibility to improve plant resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, agronomic fitness, and produce/fruit quality. Current work on these technologies is mostly performed at the fundamental level, however we need to incorporate these technologies into cultivar development pipelines. The workshop will give an overview of current technologies, opportunities, challenges, and their application in plant breeding programs. Objectives:1) Explore several examples of how transgenic and gene-editing technologies are being used for crop improvement. 2) Discussions of how these tools are currently perceived by the general public.
Target Audience: Workshop will be open to ASHS Annual meeting attendees from private and public sector who are interested in the practical application of genetic engineering and gene editing tools for crop improvement. No technical knowledge on the subject is required.
Workshop format: The workshop will consist of three 15-min presentations by invited guests, followed by a 15-minute panel discussion. The panel discussion will begin with a round of common questions to all speakers. These questions will be selected by the organizing committee from a list received from members of the Vegetable Breeding Interest Group. To obtain initial discussion questions, an email will be sent to members of the VBIG to request their discussion topics. After the common questions round, questions will be opened to attendees. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in the discussion.