Gene Editing

Gene editing is a suite of advanced technologies that enable precise, targeted changes to the DNA of living organisms. While these modifications occur at the molecular level, their potential impact on global health, agriculture and sustainability is immense.

A Better Future

The Center for Food Integrity is working with those in food and agriculture build trust and acceptance in a technology that offers immeasurable benefits.

Gene editing can be used to makes our lives better in many ways. In the field of medicine, researchers are using gene editing to treat diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders. In agriculture, gene editing is used to breed plants and animals, reduce diseases and minimize the impact of pests and severe weather. Gene editing can also be used to make foods taste better, increase nutrients and prolong shelf-life to reduce waste.

Learn more about gene editing in this series on Best Food Facts, CFI’s partner site.

Some foods developed with gene editing technology are already on the market and many more gene-edited foods are on the horizon, with more than 500 products under development globally, according to S&P Global.

Innovation With Integrity

The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) is committed to fostering trust and transparency in the use of gene editing within the food system. To support this mission, CFI brought together a diverse network of food system stakeholders to form the Coalition for Responsible Gene Editing in Agriculture. The Coalition developed the Framework for Responsible Use in Agriculture to provide assurance to the food system and other stakeholders that those using gene editing within the Framework do so in the best interests of agriculture, the food system and society.

In 2025, CFI and FMI – The Food Industry Association researched how consumers perceive gene editing in food and agriculture and what drives their willingness to buy. The research, “Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited Foods,” found that consumers are significantly more open to gene-edited products when the benefits are clear, personal and values-based. When informed about the purpose and process of gene editing purchase intent rose across all categories tested: pork, eggs, tomatoes and bananas.

Download research summary.

CFI is also helping those in the food system use the power of shared values to communicate with stakeholders about gene editing. Engage™ is an interactive, discussion-driven training that gets to the core of what matters to consumers and builds trust: shared-values communication principles. We offer Engage training specifically tailored to answer the questions and concerns about gene editing.

Gene editing is a valuable technology that helps solve some of the most important issues in food and agriculture. The Center for Food Integrity and the Coalition for Responsible Gene Editing in Agriculture are working to build trust in gene editing.