Synthetic sustainable spuds

As the global population heads toward 10 billion, the pressure on agriculture is mounting. With that in mind, the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency has announced millions of pounds worth of funding for a million research programme aimed at developing synthetic plants – crops enhanced through synthetic biology by designing entirely new chromosomes and chloroplasts. Starting with the potato, researchers hope to create plants that are more productive, resilient, and sustainable. This ambitious work could transform how we grow food in the face of climate change and resource shortages. The programme also includes dedicated research into the ethical, social, and ecological dimensions of these technologies. We’ll be speaking with Angie Burnett, the ARIA Programme Director and plant biologist leading this initiative, to find out how synthetic plants could help reimagine the future of farming...