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Ghana scientist turns to gene editing to improve sweet potato crop
Research on Ghana’s first gene-edited crop — a high-yielding sweet potato with increased beta carotene content — is under way at the University of Cape Coast. “For sweet potatoes, we want to look at how we can use the CRISPR-Cas9 system to increase beta carotene,” said Samuel Acheampong of…
Story telling: A new approach to science communications
Many Africans still don’t understand scientists, or what they do. Scientists are widely seen as aloof and detached — a misperception has negatively impacted societal attitudes toward scientific innovations on the continent. Now Science Stories Africa is bridging that gap between scientists and ordinary folks. By giving scientists the chance…
Can GM Zika-resistant mosquitoes stop the spread of the disease?
Since the World Health Organization classified the Zika virus epidemic as “public health emergency of international concern” in 2016, researchers have been looking for ways to control the spread of the virus, which can cause birth defects and other neurological problems. In one strategy, which was approved by the United…
Edible insects: From niche ‘passion project’ to widespread acceptance?
Edible insects got one step closer to Europeans’ kitchens this month. The European Food Safety Authority released a scientific opinion on mealworms, concluding that the edible insects have “a high protein content” and pose “no safety concerns” to consumers. The assessment on dried yellow mealworm (larva…
Latin American researchers use gene editing to develop new crops that benefit farmers and consumers
Latin American farmers are partnering with scientists to create new crop varieties using gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR-CAS 9 in a move to help the region realize its potential as a world power in food production. The partnerships are an extension of the work that Latin American farmers have pursued…
African scientists fear the continent will be left behind as gene editing transforms food production
Scientists in Africa are calling on their governments to ensure the continent isn’t left behind as gene editing revolutionizes food production. Gene editing is a good tool that can help enhance Africa’s food security, say scientists across the continent, and it shouldn’t suffer the same fate that has stymied the…
Analysis: Problematic provisions in new USDA rule for GE plants
Over the last three months, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published materials and conducted webinar presentations to provide additional clarity around how it will implement its regulations for genetically engineered (GE) organisms, with particular emphasis on explaining the exemptions, self-determination and confirmation provisions in its newly…
Agricultural technology key to protecting nature and preventing pandemics
Scientists are urging governments across the globe to adopt technology to reduce agriculture’s impact on the environment and slow the emergence of new diseases like COVID-19. The call comes as a new report by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) warns that more zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 will hit…
An argument for gene drive technology to genetically control insects like mosquitoes and locusts
The fate of society rests in part on how humans navigate their complicated relationship with insects – trying to save “good” insects and control “bad” ones. Some insects, like mosquitoes, bite people and make them sick – remember Zika? Now the U.S. mosquito season is already in full swing,…