Scientists Sequence Coffee Genome, Ponder Genetic Modification 167
nbauman sends word that researchers have completed a project to sequence the genome of Coffea canephora, a species of plant responsible for roughly 30% of the world's coffee production. In the course of their genetic mapping, the researchers "pinpointed genetic attributes that could help in the development of new coffee varieties better able to endure drought, disease and pests, with the added benefit of enhancing flavor and caffeine levels." They also discovered a broad range of genes that contribute to the production of flavor-related compounds and caffeine. Plant genomist Victor Albert said, "For any agricultural plant, having a genome is a prerequisite for any sort of high technology breeding or molecular modification. Without a genome, we couldn't do any real advanced research on coffee that would allow us to improve it — not in this day and age."
Please Add THC (Score:3, Funny)
Add THC to the coffee bean, sell it at Starbucks. You'll make billions.
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Please Add THC (Score:5, Funny)
Re:More caffeine? Better flavor? Higher crop yield (Score:5, Funny)
Re:No more GMOs! (Score:3, Funny)
spherical sheep vs cubical cow. FIGHT!