Analysis

July 2, 2020

The race to save the banana

Tropic Biosciences is using gene editing to create a banana resistant to the deadly Panama disease that threatens to wipe out the fruit worldwide.


Maija Palmer

5 min read

It is a stealthy disease that countries have been trying to stall with quarantines. As it spreads inexorably around the world, it’s proving devastating to national economies. No, this is not Covid-19, but its banana equivalent: TR4, also known as Panama disease, which is threatening to wipe out our favourite yellow-skinned fruit.

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Tropic Biosciences GEIGS gene editing technique
Tropic Biosciences have developed their own GEIGS gene editing technique which they are using on bananas as well as other crops.
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