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Research on RuBisCO reignites GM food debate

A recent breakthrough in photosynthesis improvement has come from examining RuBisCO – an enzyme involved in the first major step of carbon fixation,

The research, looking at reaction pathways in the chloroplasts of plants, has reignited the debate regarding genetically-engineered crops.

A better RuBisCO would not only produce higher-yield crops under normal conditions, but would also increase crop resilience under drought and poor-soil conditions by making more effective use of scarce inputs of water and nitrogen.

Researchers worry the people worst affected by the world’s food crises will not be able to afford this crop improvement technology, if developed and marketed by major corporations.

Read more at Australian National University

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