In Japan, Jonathan Latham reports that researchers have discovered that standard methods of animal and plant gene-editing introduce DNA from unexpected sources. Inadvertently incorporated into the genomes of their edited mouse cells they found DNA from the E.coli genome (a bacterium) and from the cow genome, along with goat DNA.The researchers traced this adventitious presence to contaminants of standard components of the gene-editing process, such as cell culture media. The discovery suggests not only that edited organisms may acquire random foreign DNA, but that present methods of gene-editing can transmit genetic elements, viruses, and other pathogenic agents between species. These findings therefore have very important implications for biosecurity and for the regulation of gene-editing.
Latest article
Caveman diet: Wooly mammoth burgers could soon be on the menu
In Belgium, a meat alternative startup is expanding its product R&D efforts from the more conventional beef, chicken, pork and lamb varieties to wooly...
Show me the honey: Start up developing bee-free route
In the Netherlands, Fooditive has begun developing bee-free honey using DNA from honey and fermentation enzymes. The company says its faux honey has the...
Major hotel chains tap CJ Bio for bioplastics
In Massachusetts, bioplastics producer CJ Bio says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with hospitality giant Accor—owner of such brands as ibis, Sofitel,...