Tag: gene editing

After Prison for Genetically Editing Babies, Controversial Chinese Scientist Wants to Continue Human Gene Editing Experiments

Four years ago, Chinese scientist He Jiankui stunned the global scientific community when he created at least three genetically modified babies by inserting genetically modified human embryos into human wombs, becoming the first known person to manipulate the human gene pool. Under international pressure, he was sentenced to three years in prison in China in…


Meet Your New Gene-Edited Salad

Mustard greens that have been genetically altered to remove their pungent flavor are coming to U.S. grocery stores. STORY AT-A-GLANCE Pairwise, an agricultural biotechnology company, created Conscious Greens Purple Power Baby Greens Blend, the first CRISPR-edited food available to U.S. consumers. The company used CRISPR—clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats—to edit mustard greens’ DNA, removing…


China Building Spy Base in Cuba: Report

Is China getting closer to setting up a spy base in America’s backyard? The White House is responding after news broke that Cuba allegedly agreed to host a Chinese spy base just 100 miles from Florida. If realized, Beijing could tap the communications of many U.S. military bases and American ship traffic. Topics in this…


Chinese ‘Genetic Experiments’ May Lead to Army of Radiation-Resistant Soldiers | Facts Matter

Late last week, it was revealed that Chinese military scientists have been experimenting with the gene sequences of human embryos in order to make them more resilient against nuclear radiation. According to a paper published by a team of Chinese military scientists in Beijing, they were able to modify human embryonic stem cells and give…


More Foods Will Be Gene-Edited Than You Think

Gene editing has long been primarily used for research, treatment, and disease prevention. Currently, this technology is increasingly being applied to modify agricultural products to create more “perfect” species. More and more genetically edited foods are appearing on the market, including high-nutrient tomatoes and zero-trans-fat soybean oil. Some argue that gene-edited foods are safer than…


Warning: Gene-Edited Meat Products Coming to Supermarkets Near You

Sure, we know that most conventionally produced meat isn’t the healthiest food.  For instance, numerous studies linked the consumption of meat – loaded with toxic chemicals and synthetic antibiotics – to cancer and heart disease.  Even “leaner” meats seem to be healthy only when eaten in moderation, because of the toxicity already mentioned. Moreover, the…


Gene-Editing Food Plans for England are GM ‘Sleight of Hand’ Say Critics

Hoping to fend off concerns about eating ‘gene-edited’ food, the British government claims the process it plans to legalise is different to GM—or genetic modification. With supporters claiming it will be good for planet, people, and pockets, Westminster insists “editing” genes is safe and, unlike GM, won’t share genetic material across species. But as the…


18-Year-Old Boy Dies From Gene Therapy: Did We Open Pandora’s Box?

The creator of the gene edited babies He Jiankui was released from a Chinese prison recently. His research posed the grave concern of bioethics and lapse of supervision. Gene therapy was thought by many as a breakthrough in human medical history, while others believed it opened the Pandora’s box. The Tragic Death of an 18-Year-Old…


Gene Editing Industry Grows As Food Regulation Loosens

Most people are familiar with the term genetically modified foods (GM foods or GMOs), but not so with “gene-edited food.” Recently, gene-edited red seabream, a fish species commonly found in Japan, has been approved by its government for market release. Gene editing, also referred to as genome editing, is a method that works by using…


UK Relaxes Regulation on Gene-Edited Crops Despite Public Opposition

The UK government on Wednesday announced rule changes that will make it easier to research and develop “gene-edited” food crops, though it was opposed by nearly 90 percent of respondents to the consultation. The rule changes will allow field trials in England of gene-edited crops without having to go through a licensing process that takes…