All articles tagged with #genetically engineered
The EPA has proposed allowing the use of three dicamba-based herbicide products on genetically engineered cotton and soybeans, despite previous bans due to crop damage concerns from drift, with the agency citing no health risks and support from agriculture groups, while environmental advocates criticize the decision.
Scientists have successfully engineered a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation, a potential solution to the global organ shortage crisis. The donor, created on the Yucatan miniature pig breed, lacks three major glycan antigens found in porcine cells that cause molecular incompatibilities with humans. Additionally, the donor carries seven human transgenes that regulate complement activation and coagulation, providing protection against antibody-mediated rejection and clotting. In nonhuman primate models, the humanized porcine renal graft, combined with immunosuppressive treatment, supported long-term survival for up to 2 years. This breakthrough brings us closer to clinical studies and the possibility of using xenotransplantation to address the critical shortage of organs for transplantation.
Del Monte has successfully engineered a pink pineapple called "Pinkglow" that is now being sold in stores. The pink color is achieved by muting the enzyme that converts lycopene to beta-carotene, allowing lycopene to accumulate and give the pineapple its distinctive hue. Del Monte used a technique called RNA interference to achieve this genetic modification. The company also developed a golden pineapple called "Honeyglow." The high prices of these genetically engineered pineapples are due to scarcity and marketing, but as production increases, prices are expected to come down.