Science
Plant DNA found for the first time in animals, bizarre study reveals – Inverse
New research reveals the whitefly Bemisia tabaci uses a plant gene to defend itself against plant toxins — the first scientific finding in an insect.
Its the perfect premise
for a science fiction movie.
A seemingly unthreatening bug feeds on a plant that produces deadly toxins. An extremely rare gene crossover event occurs. The insect then acquires DNA from the plant and becomes a superbug, terrorizing people all over the globe.
But this isnt the stuff of science fiction. This bug exists in real life, and its taking down crops ranging from tomatoes to potatoes.
Whats new
In a study published Thursday in the journal Cell, molecular biologists…
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