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Something to chew on
(or: Another liver recipe?)

A new variety of rice has been developed that is not only effectively immune to 13 different herbicides, but is capable of breaking down not only pesticides but other industrial chemicals. The plants could, theoretically, be used to simultaneously grow food and clean up toxic sites. The catch? Well, one potential catch is that the modification is due to inserting a new gene into the rice plant. A gene from the human liver.

Even if this blurring of the line between people and food isn't a concern - though it bids fair to drive Hindus and Vegans, at the very least, nuts - the history of genetically-modifed crops is that they don't stay put. It's also more likely a matter of when than if the modification skips to other types of plants.

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