Cloning could be used to save species—or make human “organ sacks”
Scientists developed a CRISPR-based method to remove the Y chromosome from male mouse embryos, successfully creating female clones genetically identical to the original males. The technique demonstrates potential applications in species preservation, though raises ethical concerns about possible misuse such as creating human bodies for organ harvesting.
Read full story →After commercial whaling nearly erased them, blue and fin whales are slowly reclaiming the southeast Atlantic
Blue and fin whales are being sighted with increasing frequency in the southeastern Atlantic more than 40 years after commercial whaling ended. Ninety-five percent of confirmed observations from a 60-year dataset were recorded since 2012, indicating recent population recovery in Namibian and South African waters.
Wheat gene behind Hessian fly resistance cloned after 50-year search
A wheat gene conferring resistance to Hessian fly larvae has been cloned after a 50-year search, with researchers demonstrating its direct interaction with an insect protein. The gene's identification was published in Science Advances on August 14, 2026, opening pathways for engineering pest resistance in wheat crops.
Engineered microbe speeds CO₂ capture and recovers critical metals
A genetically engineered bacterium rapidly breaks down feldspar, one of Earth's most abundant minerals, to simultaneously remove atmospheric carbon dioxide and recover critical elements for electric vehicle batteries. The engineered microbe accomplishes this through a single biological process rather than requiring separate industrial steps.