All articles tagged with #genetic engineering
Mary-Dell Chilton, a pioneering chemist and biotechnologist, led teams that used Agrobacterium tumefaciens to insert foreign genes into plants, producing the first genetically modified plant in 1982 and kickstarting the GMO era; her trailblazing work, alongside perseverance in the face of gender barriers, earned major honors and reshaped modern agriculture.
Base editing, a next-generation CRISPR tool, has been used to precisely modify DNA in human embryos by nicking only one DNA strand. The development marks a major technical advance but renews ethical and safety concerns about applying gene editing to human reproduction and the possibility of ‘designer babies’.
Researchers modified hookworms (Ancylostoma ceylanicum) with CRISPR to secrete an antibody that neutralizes tetrodotoxin, showing in hamsters that a parasite can act as a living factory for therapeutics; a first‑of‑its‑kind proof of concept with potential to deliver antibodies or other drugs inside the body, though human use is years away and future work must address durability and safety.
Global connectivity makes the emergence of a truly new human species unlikely in the near term, since geographic isolation and sustained evolutionary pressure are hard to sustain; however, two hypothetical paths—long-term isolation in space settlements and deliberate germline genetic tinkering—could, in theory, drive divergence over generations into a separate species, though such an outcome remains speculative rather than imminent.
Colossal Biosciences has brought dire wolves Romulus and Remus to life from ancient DNA, raised with surrogate dog mothers, and they are now about 16 months old with maturation to around age three. They recently fed on their first deer carcass and also catch small prey on Colossal’s 2,000+ acre preserve, illustrating their wolf nature rather than domestication. A female pup named Khaleesi, born Jan. 2025, rounds out the trio. They’re friendly toward staff when fed but remain wild wolves, not pets.
Colossal Biosciences, led by Ben Lamm, claims to have made progress in de-extincting species like the dire wolf and woolly mammoth through genetic engineering, but scientists remain skeptical, arguing that these are not true resurrected species but genetically edited animals that do not fully replicate the original extinct species. Critics warn that overhyping such claims can undermine scientific trust and emphasize that traditional conservation efforts remain essential.
The article discusses the ongoing development of gene editing technologies, highlighting the excitement and competition among scientists to discover the most effective and final form of gene editing tools.
Researchers at VUB have developed genetically modified bacteriophages that deliver bacterial toxins to specifically target and kill multidrug-resistant E. coli, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics in combating resistant bacterial infections.
Scientists believe it may be possible to bring back Neanderthals within 20 years using advanced genetic engineering, but this raises significant ethical, scientific, and legal concerns, including the potential for unregulated private ventures and the moral implications of creating a new human-like species.
Scientists are exploring the use of genetically engineered mice immune to Lyme disease, created using CRISPR technology, to reduce the spread of Lyme on Nantucket by targeting the mice that are primary hosts for the bacteria, though ecological and ethical concerns remain.
Scientists in Taiwan have developed a new biochemical pathway called the McG Cycle that significantly enhances plant growth and carbon fixation, with potential applications in forestry, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, though it raises ecological and ethical concerns.
Colossal Biosciences has made a significant breakthrough in their effort to genetically engineer a dodo-like bird by successfully culturing primordial germ cells from pigeons, a key step towards potentially recreating the extinct species, though experts caution that true de-extinction remains scientifically complex and controversial.
The article discusses the role of genetic engineering in conservation efforts, exploring the ethical and environmental implications of using biotechnology to preserve biodiversity and combat species extinction.
David Baltimore, a Nobel laureate and former Caltech president renowned for his groundbreaking work in virology and genetic engineering, passed away at 87. His career was marked by significant scientific discoveries, leadership in bioethics, and influential roles in academia and industry, leaving a lasting legacy in biology and medicine.
Scientists warn that creating 'mirror life,' synthetic organisms with reversed DNA structures, could pose catastrophic risks to all life on Earth, prompting calls for a ban before such technology becomes feasible, due to potential ecological and health dangers.