**5. Future prospects**

**4. Social acceptance and regulation**

White button mushroom

142 Next Generation Plant Breeding

Ranger Russet Potato

Waxy corn Disease resistant

Drought tolerant

eliminating gliadins in wheat

reduced unsaturated fat content by increasing the percentage of oleic acid

Longer freshness because it does not accumulate sweet sugars at typical cold storage

Does not produce acrylamide (carcinogen) when fried

Wheat Produce gluten-free wheat by

Soybean Produce healthier oil with

temperature

Genome editing with engineered nucleases (GEEN) has evolved as a highly specific and efficient tool for crop improvement with the potential to rapidly generate useful novel phenotypes. This leads to the emergence of new plant breeding technologies such as to allow the investigation of gene functions and inducing variations for crop improvement. Among these, CRISPR/Cas9 system is now one of the trending applications in plant breeding. Besides the CRISPR/Cas9 system, there are also other plant-breeding technologies that involve cis-genesis and intra-genesis such as transgenic development, whereby unspecific mutagenesis is induced by radiation or chemicals that are much faster and efficient than the conventional breeding method [66]. A question arises as to how genetically edited plants with desired traits will be received by the public and regulated within legislation on genetically modified organism (GMO). According to a recent survey comparing scientist and citizen views on a range of science, engineering and technology issues [67], the most pronounced difference obtained from the study was found on the question addressing the safety of consuming genetically engineered crops; whereby 37% of the public at large responded that GM foods are generally safe to eat, whereas 88% of scientists interviewed recognized GM foods as generally safe [66].

**Table 2.** List of CRISPR/Cas9 system-based genome-edited plants that are making their way to the commercial market.

**Crop Trait(s) improved Status Name of organization Ref.**

are still present

soybean

(FDA)

and Drug Administration

To be marketed within 5–10 years, pending field trials and applicable regulatory review

Working with *gliadin* genes that

Inactivation of two genes in

To be grown and sold in 2019 Dan Voytas; Cellectis

Yinong Yang; Penn State College of Agricultural Science

Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

Institute for Basic Research (IBS)

Plant Sciences

DuPont Pioneer [75]

[74]

[76]

[77]

[78]

Browning resistant Submitting for review to Food

There are two sides to this discussion. Those who take the view that new plant breeding technique (NPBT) such as CRISPR/Cas9 system should be exempted from GMO legislation argued that the products are similar to the products generated from conventional breeding methods. The opponents contend that the process used to generate the plants is in fact genetically modified. As stated in the European Law, the definition of GMO means an organism with the With all the studies done so far, it is undeniable that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is on its way to change the pace and course in the agriculture industry. Perfect plants that have high yield, quality and resistance toward any disease and pests will no longer be impossible with the dawn of this technology. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing for plants will also be developed to the point where it can be used to replace any defective gene with a normal allele at its natural location. Consequently, all plants will now no longer need to be in danger from any traditional diseases as long as this technique is present and approved for human consumption.

There are still many uncertainties on the usage of plant genome editing. Therefore, in-depth studies are required to ensure this technology will have zero risks while gaining maximum benefits. Besides that, the idea of genome editing might also raise ethical questions from the public; these need to be adequately addressed by researchers and scientists that are well adept in genome engineering. Educational talk or workshop on genome editing should be given to nonscientists to ensure they understand the basics and benefits of this technology. More laws and regulations will also be required for the implementation to ensure CRISPR/Cas9 system is used responsibly without slowing down its development and research. Only when the CRISPR/Cas9 system is well understood and regulated, it will be possible for the application of this technology to be maximized to its fullest potential to achieve previously envisioned ideas in plant science.
