3 ms·
You know genetic modifications occur literally all of the time in everything we eat, right?
by sooheon 4y ago
You know genetic modifications occur literally all of the time in everything we eat, right?
- TimTheTinker 4y agoYes, of course. But there's a difference between multiple short sequences being added/deleted/modified and entire new proteins that add new capabilities being inserted or swapped. These artificial edits introduce large step functions in the overall mutation rate. Normally, parallel evolution of people and crops allows humans enough time to adapt to natural mutations. Note selective breeding doesn't increase the underlying mutation rate - that's the number that I'm concerned we've manipulated beyond acceptable bounds.