"Two Down, One to Go"

Researchers at Cornell University and Rothamsted Research in the UK have successfully completed stage two of three in the effort to feed the world's exponentially growing population. That effort the through the means of turbocharge photosynthesis.

There already exists plants in the natural world that photosynthesize (aka converting carbon dioxide into sugar, food for the plant) much quicker than others. These plants - such as corn and various types of weeds - are called C4 plants. Unfortunately, that only accounts for 25% of the world's crops; the other 75% are the slower C3 plants.

So is there a way to make C3 plants C4 plants? That's what these researchers are aiming to achieve, through genetic and molecular engineering. Instead of inserting brand new cells, scientists want to alter existing ones. And it's not a a simple one-two gene transformation either; we're looking a a more complex, 10-15 gene process. By applying a three-step photosynthesize mechanism from cyanobacteria into these C3 plants, scientists hope to engineer plants into faster growers.

The three phases are as followed:
1. Proteins synthesize a unique pocket within a planet cell that concentrates carbon dioxide.
2. An enzyme that catalyzes the photosynthetic process of converting carbon dioxide to sugar is located in the pocket.
3. The carbon dioxide is ushered into the cells via special pumps within the membranes of cells.

With two of the three steps now complete, it's important to note that - assuming these genetic modifications in foods are permitted commercially - they won't appear in the market for at least "fie or 10 years," according to Cornell professor of molecular biology and genetics, Maureen Hansen. It's also important to note that the modified plants would at first limited to "easier [to genetically modify" plants such as tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and peppers.

While there will undoubtedly be out lash regarding the ethics of such genetic modifications (as we can already witness today with GMO's), such critics have to think about the realities of the world. The current world population  lies at around 7.1 billion people, and according to The Guardian, that figure will soar to the 9.6-12.3 billion range by 2100. the harsh reality is that there will not be enough food for everyone to survive. Without genetic modifications such as these, which could see a 36-60% boost in crop yield, the world may very well starve.

Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/530851/turbocharging-photosynthesis-to-feed-the-world/