Gene-editing a pest out of existence

Scientists have long avoided modifying plants' or animals' DNA in ways that could be passed on. That makes the Italian test targeting a mosquito species that spreads malaria groundbreaking – and to some, worrisome.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AP Despite warnings, firing of Michael Flynn, White House doggedly pushed transfer of nuclear technology to Saudis The Trump national security adviser's work helping a company get permission to build a power plant in Saudi Arabia was a serious conflict of interest, a House panel announced in a report this week. Even after Flynn was fired, and despite the need for congressional approval, the National Security Council kept pursuing the transfer. The report came just ahead of a trip to the country by Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has a close relationship with Saudi Arabia's leader. Chris Livesay for NPR In the birthplace of the Stradivarius, five weeks of silence helped preserve the violin's sounds The ambitious, arduous project involved capturing every note produced by every string on the instrument and every transition between two notes. The end result will be hundreds of thousands of audio files — any of which would be rendered imperfect by so much as a car door slamming within blocks of the concert hall. Thankfully, the mayor of Cremona, Italy, is also the president of the Antonio Stradivari Violin Museum Foundation. He mandated a zone of silence around the recording venue for five weeks earlier this year. Pierre Kattar for NPR Genetically modified mosquitoes could help eradicate malaria — by eradicating themselves Scientists recently released genetically engineered mosquitoes into a high-security lab in Italy. The insects carry a sterilizing mutation that spreads to progeny, meaning the modification would be lethal to the species — and potentially reduce the spread of malaria. Some are worried, though, that releasing the engineered mosquitoes into the wild could have unforeseen consequences, such as eliminating important crop pollinators. But one evolutionary engineer says: "The known harm of malaria ... outweighs the combined harms of everything that has been postulated could go wrong." Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images 5 U.S. military veterans. 12 guns. 2 cars with extra plates and links to Haiti's president. 1 roadblock near the central bank The men's capture, alongside two Serbs and a Haitian in the vehicles, comes as deadly clashes between anti-corruption protesters and authorities have roiled Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. A Miami Herald reporter told NPR that embattled President Jovenel Moise tried to have the men released but that police refused. The men told authorities that they were on a mission from the government. Which government, and what the mission was, remain unclear. Talia Herman for NPR In the 'Garlic Capital of the World,' Trump's policies have produced fortune and fear The president's tariffs on cheap Chinese garlic have boosted by 20 percent the sales of the biggest garlic farm in Gilroy, Calif. But like much of the agricultural industry nationwide, Christopher Ranch — as well as the town of Gilroy as a whole — relies heavily on immigrant labor. One worker who recently received his green card wonders: If enough people get deported, who's going to harvest all those bulbs? What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002