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

Citrus growers in Florida are planting new trees that have been modified using gene-editing technology to ward against the lethal citrus greening disease.

Growers have tried everything from tents to sprays to protect citrus trees from the bacterial infection, which has killed off many of Florida's citrus trees and led to a massive decline in the amount of citrus the state produces. Now growers are waiting to see if the genetic modifications, which the Environmental Protection Agency approved earlier this year, will keep the trees alive.

Citrus greening arrived in Florida in 2005. The disease is spread by a tiny winged insect called an Asian citrus psyllid. It attacks the trees' immune system, so they can't fight the infection. Once infected, a tree produces bitter, discolored fruit and usually dies a few years later. There's no cure.