Dr Michael Antoniou, London based molecular geneticist, highlights the dangers of gene-edited foods in a short 2-minute video.
Scientists "surprised" to find that CRISPR editing tool is not as precise as previously claimed
GMWATCH, April 2, 2020
The gene-editing tool known as CRISPR-Cas12a or Cpf1 has been viewed as a better choice than other Cas editing tools because it was believed to be more precise and less prone to making off-target cuts in DNA.
But a new paper shows that Cpf1 is not as clean or specific as touted. The researchers employed in vitro assays using a vast collection of synthesized DNA molecules containing variations on the editing site sequence. They found that Cpf1 was highly prone to making off-target single-strand cuts, or "nicks", in the double-stranded DNA molecules. Off-target double-strand DNA cuts were also found, albeit at a lower frequency than the single-strand nicks.
Organic farming more profitable than conventional
GMWATCH July 6, 2020
A study at Purdue University has found that if organic farmers get 100 percent premiums and keep their yield drag to one-third of conventional, they tend to be more profitable than conventional growers...
The researchers wrote up their results in a report which is available online. The crop rotations studied involved corn, soybeans and wheat. A high proportion of the corn and soybeans in the US are GMO, so the study is a sad comment on the lack of rewards for farmers of growing GMO crops. The study found that the scenario tested "produced net profits for the organic production of about $50 per acre but net losses of about $60-$70 per acre for the conventional systems".
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The gene-editing tool known as CRISPR-Cas12a or Cpf1 has been viewed as a better choice than other Cas editing tools because it was believed to be more precise and less prone to making off-target cuts in DNA.
