Although providing ~20% of the daily calories and protein per capita
worldwide, wheat is relatively an outcast from the posse of biotech crops.
Scientists address this "abandonment" issue in a perspective article in
Science.



The authors presented a promising shorter time for wheat improvement via
genetic engineering than traditional crossbreeding and speed breeding, as
well as the loss of resistance and tolerance genes caused by wheat
domestication. The need for GM wheat is intensified by the devastating
effect of wheat blast, which also has possible negative effects on rice
cultivation.

Africa and Asia, the two most populous regions with high incidences of
malnutrition and poverty, will be the primary benefactors once GM wheat is
developed.

[science.sciencemag.org]