Could trees developed with gene-editing technology protect Florida's citrus industry?

A bacterial infection is wiping out Florida's citrus trees. Growers hope a rootstock developed with gene-editing technology could keep the disease at bay.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1976+0+0/resize/3000x1976!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F28%2Fcc%2F39535a08424295524ffc4bb39d6d%2Fgettyimages-168672681.jpg' alt='Guy Davies, an inspector for the Florida Division of Plant Industry, checks an orange tree for the insect Asian citrus psyllid that carries the bacterium causing disease, "citrus greening," from tree to tree on May 13, 2013, in Fort Pierce, Florida.'/><p>A bacterial infection is wiping out Florida's citrus trees. Growers hope a rootstock developed with gene-editing technology could keep the disease at bay. </p><p>(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5966501' />