An international research team, including scientists from the University of California Davis and the University of Adelaide, has created disease-resistant rice using the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas. The team edited a newly-discovered rice gene called RBL1, with the resulting rice variety showing both high yields and resistance to the fungus that causes rice blast.
Provitamin D3 (ProVitD3) protects human skin against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and is a precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D3, which is an essential human steroid hormone. According to studies, circulatory vitamin D3 in humans is at lower than desirable levels.
For a few years now, gene editing tools, such as CRISPR, have changed how biotechnology is used in crop development. These techniques allow for the precise and versatile editing of plant and animal DNA. However, in the European Union, legislation has not changed, and gene-edited plants are considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are subjected to the same regulation that was developed in 2001 for transgenic plants.
Products of genetic engineering have faced controversial issues for many years. A study by Alliance for Science and Cision Global Insights shows that the public views gene editing more favorably than GMOs by the public. The findings are published in GM Crops & Food.
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