FDA approves genetically engineered animals as both food and for medical purposes for the FIRST time

Genetically engineered pigs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration – the first time an intentional genomic alteration has been given clearance for both food and medical use. The pigs, called GalSafe pigs, are without a sugar on their skin that can cause a severe allergic reaction among some people. Without the … Read more

Scientists create healthier beef by genetically enhancing cow cells with nutrients in carrots

Scientists in Massachusetts create healthier beef by genetically enhancing cow cells with nutrients normally found in carrots and peppers Researchers at Tufts University in Massachusetts experimented with enhancing beef cells with plant nutrients Beta carotene, lycopene and phytoene – found in plants – were added to the cells They believe the results could make a healthier cultivated … Read more

Scientists genetically modify cows to have gray patches in a bid to save them from climate change 

Scientists genetically modify cows to have gray patches instead of black in a bid to save them from climate change Scientists designed a gene editing method to save cows from climate change  The team eliminated the gene that causes black patches on the cow’s coat Three cows that were modified were born with gray marks … Read more

Donald Trump told Kim Jong-un that he was ‘genetically’ capable of understanding nuclear weapons

Donald Trump claimed that he was ‘genetically’ capable of understanding nuclear weapons – because his uncle was a physicist. The President told North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that he knew about his nuclear test sites ‘better than any of my people’ because his uncle Dr. John Trump taught at MIT. But Dr. Trump’s expertise was … Read more

Locals furious over plan to release 750 million genetically engineered mosquitoes in Florida Keys

Some residents of the Florida Keys are furious over plans to release more than 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes in the region to combat disease. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District gave final approval Tuesday to the plan, which will be rolled out in 2021 and 2022. The transgenic insects, classified as OX5034, have been modified … Read more

First genetically modified squids born transparent after scientists ‘knock out’ pigmentation gene

First genetically modified squids are born transparent after scientists ‘knock out’ pigmentation gene in embryos that controls eye and skin cell color Scientists have genetically modified a squid embryo for the first time in history The team  pigmentation genes in a Doryteuthis pealeii, making it transparent This will allow researchers to study the creature’s unique system  … Read more

Women hug more than men because they are genetically predisposed to be more affectionate

Women hug more than men because they are more genetically predisposed to be more affectionate, a study has revealed.  About 45 per cent of their desire was inherited, while 55 per cent was down to environmental factors including media, personal relationships and unique life experiences. In men, however, the study put attributed their desire for … Read more

Zika virus: Florida to release genetically modified mosquitoes

Florida moves forward with contentious plan to release 750million genetically modified mosquitoes to help lessen the spread of disease A biotech firm has been approved to release 750million mosquitoes in Florida They contain a protein that lessens the survival rate of female offspring The team hopes the insects will lower overall mosquito populations and decrease the … Read more

Humans and Neanderthals were genetically closer than brown and polar bears

Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo sapiens were so closely related that they were able to interbreed and have offspring that were fertile and healthy, a study suggests.  Analysis from the University of Oxford reveals the species were more genetically similar than brown bears and polar bears are today.  This significant overlap provided genetic compatibility and allowed … Read more

Worms genetically predisposed to die early to cut food demand

Some animals are genetically predisposed to die before reaching old age to benefit the rest of the colony, according to a new British study. Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm that shares genetic traits with humans, is programmed to die early to reduce its colony’s demand for food, scientists say.   These organisms possess a genetic ‘self-destruct programme’, … Read more