Global Scans · Genetics · Weekly Summary

• [New] A study conducted by experts from Ghent University, Belgium and Gulu University, Uganda has identified the factors that could influence farmers' willingness to adopt genome-edited cassava resistant to cassava brown streak disease. Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program
• [New] The U.S. FDA indicated that certain genome editing products or related biologics required Investigational New Drug applications or Biologics License Applications processes that could be time-consuming and expensive. Straits Research
• [New] In 2026, AI is moving beyond simple chatbots and content generators to become an embedded, agentic collaborator that forecasts bottlenecks before they form, allocates resources with surgical precision, and writes status reports that are more accurate than human-prepared versions. Informat
• [New] In a world where images, audio, documents, and dialog can all be synthetically generated at scale, democracies will need stronger authentication norms, especially in elections, courts, finance, and public administration. Friedrich Naumann Foundation
• [New] The opportunity for digital twin providers is particularly acute in the cell and gene therapy sector, where process development costs per program can exceed US$ 100 million. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The three-year, USD 1.9 million project will concentrate on developing heat-tolerant wheat genetics and understanding how wheat can thrive and yield in high temperatures. Claight Corporation (Expert Market Research Au)
• [New] UK GOVERNMENT PLANS TO REGULATE AI USE IN GENE SYNTHESIS TO PREVENT BIOWEAPON DEVELOPMENT The UK government is moving to regulate AI's role in gene synthesis, specifically to prevent terrorists and bad actors from using AI to design bioweapons. LinkedIn
• [New] The potential use of CRISPR technology for human germline editing, unintended genetic modifications, and long-term safety risks has intensified global debate among regulators, researchers, and healthcare organizations. Straits Research
• [New] TIER IV has joined JST's Next-Generation Edge AI Semiconductor R&D Program and plans to open-source the logic design, compiler, and toolchain for a Level 4 autonomous driving AI chip. Self Drive News
• [New] CRISPR Therapeutics will lead commercialization in the U.S., while Sirius will lead commercialization in greater China. CRISPR Therapeutics
• [New] CRISPR Therapeutics is expected to lead global Phase 3 development, with Sirius Therapeutics overseeing development activities in greater China. CRISPR Therapeutics
• [New] By 2026, 30% of enterprises will no longer view standalone identity verification checks as reliable in isolation, and Deloitte estimates that generative AI could drive total fraud losses in the U.S. $40 billion by 2027. Identity Week
• Under new Medicare arrangements, patients with thyroid cancer will be able to undergo genetic testing to identify mutations in the RET gene, to confirm eligibility for treatment with Retevmo. Mirage News
• With preventative gene-targeting treatments now becoming available, there is a particularly urgent need for reliable biofluid-based signatures that indicate near-term onset in individuals that carry ALS risk genes. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• If genetic background influences both cancer risk and the evolutionary trajectory of tumours, future cancer prevention and screening strategies will need to take into account inherited genetics and population diversity. ScienceDaily
• Combining immune modulation with advances in stem cell technology and organ generation, researchers hope to develop reliable methods for producing transplantable human organs, helping address the global shortage of donor organs and advancing regenerative medicine. News-Medical
• While two genomes might not sound like a lot, it's a significant step in the total number of historical variola virus genomes available. Scientific American
• General non-invasive BCI such as EEG devices and sleep monitoring systems are classified as Class II devices given their lower risk profiles. PubMed Central (PMC)
• South Africa plans to add 5,200 megawatts of nuclear power generation by around 2040. Last Week in ConTech
• Researchers from Italy's Cagliari University are the latest to investigate why people living in Sardinia's Blue Zone might have an edge over the general population when it comes to living healthier for longer. Refractor
• For years, demographic futurists have predicted an unprecedented generational wealth transfer - estimated at upwards of $18 trillion - as ageing Baby Boomers pass their assets to heirs and charitable causes. Foundation Source
• American society is multicultural and includes a large number of first-generation immigrants who routinely use or might have already explored CAM. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 23 August 2026