August 11, 2026
A new WIRED feature examines how gene-editing technology is being used to rethink the crops people grow and eat. Among the most striking examples is Pairwise, which is developing blackberries designed to be seedless and thornless while also improving productivity. The company is also exploring gene-edited cherries, corn, peaches, and other crops with traits intended to benefit both farmers and consumers.
The larger opportunity goes beyond making fruit easier to eat. CRISPR allows researchers to make targeted genetic changes much faster than traditional plant breeding, potentially combining traits such as higher yields, greater resilience to heat and drought, disease resistance, and improved shelf life. The technology could ultimately help agriculture produce more food while putting less pressure on land and other resources.
Pairwise is also pursuing partnerships and licensing rather than relying solely on its own consumer brands. The company has worked with major agricultural businesses including Bayer and Corteva, while research partnerships are exploring gene-edited staple crops that could be more resilient for farmers in vulnerable regions.
But the technology still faces significant hurdles. Gene-edited crops must reach farmers and consumers at commercially viable prices, investment in agricultural technology has declined from its earlier peak, and public acceptance remains uncertain. Although CRISPR-edited crops have generally encountered fewer regulatory barriers than traditional GMOs in many markets, concerns about genetic modification could still influence consumer adoption.
The article ultimately presents CRISPR as a promising but still emerging agricultural technology. Its potential is substantial, but turning that potential into widely available food will require scientific progress, regulatory acceptance, investment, farming adoption, and consumer demand to develop together.
Read the full WIRED article here:
https://www.wired.com/story/seedless-blackberries-cherry-bushes-future-of-food/