3 ms·
genetic engineering capable of making a 'gene drive dominant' deadly toxic addition to,(Ricin, and mushroom toxins) food crops that are wind pollinated, like co
by aurizon 6y ago
genetic engineering capable of making a 'gene drive dominant' deadly toxic addition to,(Ricin, and mushroom toxins) food crops that are wind pollinated, like corn.
1 molecule of ricin destroys 1500-2000 ribosomes per minute and is not damaged. Mushroom toxins are similar.
Once your ribosomes stop working you die from lack of protein synthesis. The body makes its own ribosomes - if there is a shortage, however, the broken ribosomes register as functional, even when broken, so no new ones are made from the ribosomal DNA.
SPread by the wind, this gene driven plague would inexorably infect all corn = toxic.
There are other ways that gene mongery can harm others. Gene drive block all read heads, in a few hundred years = gone.
All this said, we need to establish ways to monitor these risks. Once found, a counter gene can be created,