CRISPR-Cas9: Morocco’s Crucial Crossroads for Agricultural Resilience and Food Sovereignty

Faced with a historic drought, the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic revolution represents real hope for Moroccan agriculture. Capable of creating more resilient crops, this technology nevertheless faces a legal vacuum that is hampering its deployment.

Morocco therefore finds itself at a crucial crossroads for its food sovereignty. This report aims to decipher the multiple facets of this issue. It offers a detailed analysis of the Moroccan context, followed by the combined perspectives of experts from France, Italy, and Egypt, in order to shed light on the challenges and opportunities that CRISPR-Cas9 represents for Morocco and the region.

A quiet revolution is unfolding in laboratories around the world, promising to redefine the future of agriculture. At the heart of this transformation is CRISPR-Cas9, a genome-editing technology capable of creating plants that are more resistant to drought and disease, and less dependent on water resources.

For Morocco, faced with unprecedented water stress and the imperative of food sovereignty, this technological promise resonates with particular acuity. It represents a potential path to secure its yields, strengthen its export competitiveness, and adapt its agriculture to climate realities.

Yet, a gap is widening between the immense potential of this innovation and the reality on the ground. A legal vacuum is paralyzing its development, placing the Kingdom at a crucial crossroads: embracing this advance to remain an agricultural leader or risking a strategic disconnect with its international partners, who are making progress.

A genetic improvement technology distinct from GMOs

CRISPR-Cas9 technology is a genome editing method that allows for precise modification of the DNA of a living organism. For Professor Kamal Aberkani, an agricultural science specialist at Mohammed I University, it is essential not to confuse it with traditional genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The main difference between CRISPR/Cas9 and conventional GMOs lies in the way the genetic modification is carried out. CRISPR/Cas9 is a genome editing technique that allows for the direct modification of an organism’s genes without inserting foreign DNA, unlike traditional GMOs, which often involve inserting DNA from another species.

Thus, organisms modified by CRISPR-Cas9 have mutations that can be similar to those occurring naturally, while conventional GMOs are characterized by the presence of artificially introduced foreign genetic sequences. This is why Aberkani considers CRISPR-Cas9 as a “kind of mediation between classical genetic selection and GMOs.”

This distinction is central because it suggests a different risk profile and justifies a specific regulatory debate.

A global imperative to address 21st-century agricultural challenges

Interest in this technology is taking place in a complex global context, marked by the water crisis, population growth, and the need to increase food production. International research has amply demonstrated the technical effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas9 in addressing these challenges by improving crop resilience to abiotic (drought and salinity) and biotic (diseases and pests) stresses.

The technical performance of this tool is now validated by a scientific consensus, making it a promising solution for optimizing yields. The objective, as the expert emphasizes, is to “reduce crop dependence on inputs such as water and fertilizers” while increasing profits for producers.

Morocco Faces a Paradox: Scientific Potential of CRISPR-Cas9and Legal Void

In Morocco, research on CRISPR-Cas9 remains experimental and limited. The main obstacle, according to official sources, lies in “the absence of specific national legislation.” The Kingdom has a law banning GMOs, but this text remains silent on genome editing.

This situation creates, in his words, a “legal uncertainty that hinders any progress.” The urgency to act is reinforced by the momentum of Morocco’s main trading partner, the European Union, which is moving towards more flexible regulations.

In this context, Aberkani warns against the risk of a “dangerous gap” which would threaten Morocco’s agricultural competitiveness if it delays in aligning itself.

A Strategic Roadmap for Controlled Adoption

Faced with this impasse, the professor proposes a “proactive” and structured approach. The first step would be to conduct socio-economic impact studies and build a solid legislative framework, aimed at both protecting consumers and securing the national agricultural model.

He suggests a strategic and progressive approach, that of “dedicating the first productions resulting from CRISPR-Cas9 to export to markets that already recognize this technology.” The introduction on the domestic market, meanwhile, should be accompanied by rigorous traceability and clear labeling, in order to guarantee consumer choice.

Beyond Regulation: Building an Innovation Ecosystem

The adoption of CRISPR-Cas9 is not limited to a legislative issue. The vision put forward by the experts is that of building a true innovation ecosystem in plant biotechnology, building on existing research platforms. One point that Aberkani considers “fundamental” is Morocco’s human capital, with qualified young people capable of creating startups specializing in improved seeds.

By mobilizing national funding and capitalizing on international cooperation, Morocco could, according to him, position itself as a “hub for the transfer of CRISPR-Cas9 technology” to the rest of the continent, thus playing a leading role in responding to the challenges of food security in Africa.

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(Featured image by Md. Hasanuzzaman Himel via Unsplash)

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First published in LES ECO.ma. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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