Point of View: A transatlantic perspective on 20 emerging issues in biological engineering studies

“Horizon scanning” describes the process of trying to rationally predict the future.  Wintle et al. describe the results from a horizon-scanning exercise to identify emerging issues in biological engineering. The authors used an iterative approach to identify key issues in the near and longer-term future. In this Point of View, they elaborate on 20 issues of particular interest or relevance. Key issues relevant to plant scientists include Artificial photosynthesis and carbon capture for producing biofuels, Enhanced photosynthesis for agricultural productivitIy, and Producing vaccines and human therapies in plants, but the other topics are interesting and somewhat surprising to consider also. (Summary by Mary Williams)  eLIFE  10.7554/eLife.30247