Cibus Global: The science behind RTDS

Developed by scientists at Cibus, Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS) is an all-natural, environmentally safe "smart breeding tool" that helps farmers grow plants with traits that produce desired traits such as increased yields, nutritionally improved foods/feeds, and herbicide resistance. Unlike transgenic engineering, which takes exotic genetic material from one species and inserts it into another, RTDS derives its genetic traits from the very same plant species being altered. In other words, RTDS carries none of the health and environmental risks associated with transgenic breeding. When Cibus began developing this technology, few scientists thought it could be done, but recently completed field trials have validated the technology. It introduces traits like herbicide resistance while working entirely within the genome of a plant; e.g. no pollen drift, no exotic genetic material. This technology—entirely different than the modifications used in GMO crops—has now proven itself in the lab and in the field. Apart from herbicide tolerance, the technology holds promise for increasing yields, nutritional improvements, more environmentally friendly biofuels, and other traits sought by the market. Cibus' technology is protected by a series of patents that recognize the revolutionary nature of this new paradigm. With traits now moved into the commercialization pipeline for final testing and seed production, market release is expected in the next couple of years. Cibus represents the most viable alternative for farmers who seek to increase yields but without the risks and market resistance of presently available GM crops. As such, the company has an important role to play in this new world of food scarcity.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• GMO
• genetically modified
• transgenic
• science
• biotech
• crop
• cibus
• agriculture