An essay exploring why most human body systems are poorly designed and fragile, with the liver as a notable exception for its regenerative abilities. The author argues that while bodily fragility is generally problematic, it may serve evolutionary purposes, and lists numerous examples of inferior human biology compared to other species.
Malaria causes severe, debilitating symptoms and kills over 600,000 people annually, mostly children. In parts of Africa, children under five experience up to six infections per year, creating a cycle of repeated suffering that bed net donations help prevent.
Florida citrus growers are planting gene-edited trees designed to resist citrus greening disease, which has devastated the state's industry since 2005. Soilcea used CRISPR technology to create the CarriCea T1 rootstock, which keeps trees' immune systems functioning against the bacterial infection spread by Asian citrus psyllids. Early test results are promising, though growers await years of data to confirm the modification's long-term effectiveness.