Imagine enjoying carp without fishing out dozens of tiny bones… Well, dream come true for fish lovers!
Scientists in the Chinese mainland have just unveiled a new variety of the Gibel carp, nicknamed 'Zhongke No. 6', that is entirely bone-free and supercharged to grow faster, stronger, and more sustainably. 🐟✨
This week, Academician Gui Jianfang and their team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in the Chinese mainland announced they used CRISPR/Cas9 (think molecular scissors) to switch off a single gene, runx2b, that tells the fish to grow those tricky bones.
By editing this code at the embryonic stage, the main skeleton develops normally, while the 80-plus intermuscular spines never form. The result? A smoother eating experience and a fish that's ready for the table – no chopstick gymnastics required. 🍽️
But the innovation doesn't stop there. Zhongke No. 6 also boasts high yield, strong disease resistance in dense aquaculture farms, and lower feed needs, meaning more protein with less environmental impact. 🌱⚡
This breakthrough caps a six-year journey under CAS's 'Precision Seed Design and Creation' program, and it could reshape aquaculture by making carp farming more efficient and eco-friendly.
Next time you dive into a carp dish, get ready for a no-bone zone! 🎉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
