Microbes are tiny living things — such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses — that can help boost crop immunity to pests and diseases. Genetically engineering these microbes takes advantage of these naturally occurring, beneficial properties and can address large, societal challenges, such as climate change.

To fully reap the rewards of climate mitigation and capitalize on an emerging industry, we need a clear regulatory framework and pathway to commercialization for GE microbes. A potential path exists, in theory, under current regulation, but there is no clear pathway to commercialization.

In addition to bolstering certain traits, GE microbes can “turn off” genes that jeopardize plant health and lead to agricultural inefficiency. Similar to humans, plants have immune systems, and just as we often need pharmaceuticals to alleviate our symptoms and improve our health, so do plants.

Through microbes’ ability to enhance nutrient uptake in soil, GE microbe products of the future may bolster insect resistance, drought tolerance, and heat tolerance among key crops. This is especially important now that climate change induces more extreme weather events.

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Other countries are already seeing the benefits of GE microbes and are seizing on the opportunity. Recently, Brazil became one of the first nations to approve the export of several products that contain microbial biotech-derived food ingredients such as yeast and alkaline protease. The U.S. cannot ignore this opportunity to be a leader in climate, agriculture, and trade and create a market for this emerging industry.

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