The Cacao tree is reported to be at severe risk due to climate change, fungus, and virus. Not counting the critical economic role Cacao plays for the regions it is grown, the loss of chocolate would impact nearly every country in the world. Researchers are looking for ways to help the Cacao tree survive in these challenging environments and this time they are using CRISPR. While CRISPR is just a tool, hopefully it will speed up the process and help researchers find the right modifications which will permit the Cacao tree to survive (or even thrive) without impacting chocolate production. Hopefully soon after we will see similar successes with barley.
You May Also Like
AerospaceBlogDefenseEmerging Technologies
U.S. Air Force Agility Prime STTR
Jeremiah RobertsonFebruary 25, 2021
Biological EngineeringBiologyBiomedicalBiotechnologyBlogCitizen ScienceEvolutionHuman HealthMedicineScienceScience PolicyVirology
How Iceland Used Science to Address COVID
QS-2November 30, 2020
AerospaceBlogEmerging TechnologiesHuman HealthMedicinePublic Health
COVID-19 and Drones: A Missed Opportunity
Jeremiah RobertsonOctober 20, 2020