this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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Could we, in theory, use something like CRISPR to give a new baby replacement super-kidneys (or whatever organ it is that makes drinking saltwater be a bad time)? It seems like if we cracked that, we'd be set as a species.

Thanks for your time.

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[โ€“] CarbonIceDragon@pawb.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There are some plants that already grow in seawater, perhaps one way to achieve that effect might be to go about it the other way round, and try to breed or engineer one of these plants into something that can be used as a staple crop? Some quick wiki searching suggests to me that a few species of such plants are edible, though most I could find are so as vegetable type plants and not used like corn or potatos or such. I did find reference to a salt tolerant plant that can be grown for cooking oil though.

[โ€“] ExLisper@linux.community 1 points 1 year ago

And start farming the seabed to devastate even more ecosystems? I don't think so. The best solution is actually to have less people. Better use the CRISPR to create some fun viruses.