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bornswift t1_j1utzwo wrote

Are there any known attempts to genetically engineer plants or fungi to grow in deserts to help reverse desertification?

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IsraelinSF t1_j1vjbwr wrote

Yes, there are many attempts to genetically engineer plants in this way. Today, the science is moving to Crisp R, which is gene editing involving targeted mutations. The attempts are very diverse, and success until now has been relatively small. The main attempts are in trying to create plants that are water-use efficient, as explained in my response about C4 plants, and that are high-temperature tolerant. There are also attempts using conventional breeding. In my opinion, what we call Crisp R or GMO is the same as using breeding. It is just a fast way of breeding that needs to be done carefully, but it is necessary in a changing environment. With conventional breeding, every plant or fruit we eat today has been modified. In my opinion, GMO relates to all food we eat today, so whether we do it faster or slower has no effect, but it must be done in a careful and controlled way.

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