Bomb-sniffing dogs could lose their jobs to bacteria.

DARPA is engineering glowing bacteria for bomb detection

Bright Idea

DARPA is funding research into bacteria for bomb detection that could sense explosives below the ground and then glow on its surface.

DARPA Is Engineering Glowing Bacteria for Bomb Detection

If one bacteria detects explosives, another will glow on the ground's surface.

It's willing to conduct experiments other nations shy away from.

China isn’t afraid to be the "bad guy" of CRISPR research

Greater Good

China has embraced CRISPR animal experiments in a way no other nation has, but the entire world may one day reap the benefits.

China Isn’t Afraid to Be the “Bad Guy” of CRISPR Research

And the world could reap the benefits, from disease cures to ending world hunger.

A gene therapy treatment for LCA already exists called Luxturna that involves injecting a modified virus that delivers the corrected gene into the retina's cells.

This human gene editing trial will use CRISPR to treat blindness

Cure the Blind

Up to 18 people will be part of the first ever human study in the U.S. that uses gene editing technique CRISPR inside the body to treat blindness.

This Human Gene Editing Trial Will Use CRISPR to Treat Blindness

It's the first-ever study in the U.S. that uses CRISPR inside the body.

And they think it could help fight disease in the future.

Chinese scientists say they’ve found a safer alternative to CRISPR

New Tool

Chinese researchers have created a CRISPR alternative called LEAPER that they say is less likely to trigger an unwanted immune response.

Chinese Scientists Say They’ve Found a Safer Alternative to CRISPR

It's less likely to trigger an unwanted immune system response, they claim.

This is what happens when your mom is a neuroscientist.

"Mad scientist" mom turns autistic son into a "cyborg"

Human Evolution

Neuroscientist Vivienne Ming used tech to give her autistic son the ability to read emotions, but what happens when everyone wants to be a cyborg?

“Mad Scientist” Mom Turns Autistic Son Into a “Cyborg”

And she questions what it means for the future of humanity.

We might not need to rely on machines for our carbon capture needs.

Scientists gene edit plants to be better at carbon capture

Root Solution

Carbon capture will be key to addressing climate change, and now, scientists have found a gene that could make plants better at capturing and storing CO2.

Scientists Gene Edit Plants to be Better at Carbon Capture

This one gene could help save the environment.

"It is irresponsible to proceed with this protocol at this time."

Russian biologist pledges to create more CRISPR-edited babies

Gene Hack

Russian biologist Denis Rebrikov told Nature that he's planning to use CRISPR to edit more human embryos — and bring them to term — as soon as late 2019.

Russian Biologist Pledges to Create More CRISPR-Edited Babies

He wants to gene-hack babies as soon as this year.

The genes could improve CRISPR's ability to paste without cutting.

Experimental CRISPR study exploits "selfish" genes

Transposons, Son

An experimental study is exploiting so-called "jumping genes" that selfishly copy and paste themselves throughout the genome to improve CRISPR.

Experimental CRISPR Study Exploits “Selfish” Genes

"It’s still in the experimental phase, but it’s quite exciting."

"How do you make sure you can align the person who is consenting and the person who is taking the risk?"

Third gene-hacked baby's impending birth has scientists scrambling

Three's A Crowd

The next gene-hacked human is due to be born next month, and scientists are trying to sort out what that means for the future of humanity.

Third Gene-Hacked Baby’s Impending Birth Has Scientists Scrambling

"We as a species need to come to terms with this."

And it could help us unravel some of the mysteries of human biology.

Scientists used CRISPR to make mirror-image snails

Snail Tale

A team of researchers has created CRISPR snails with shells that coil counterclockwise — a trait that is extremely rare in nature.

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