this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2026
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Using CRISPR-Cas9, scientists engineered a yeast to produce the nutrient feed. Farmers could have it in two years.

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[–] Washedupcynic@lemmy.ca 48 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (5 children)

Seems easier than engineering edible yeast to get them the sterols they need.

[–] protist@retrofed.com 2 points 2 hours ago

In the end, it probably isn't easier at all. Once the yeast is created, yeast is dirt cheap and easy as hell to grow, and wouldn't require managing a field of wildflowers that are going to drop seeds for the following year when you intend to plant crops there. I'm not saying it's a good or ethical choice, but the yeast definitely has the potential to be easier and cheaper

[–] skyline2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 27 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

But you see they can sell this! Can't sell "fallow fields"...

[–] protist@retrofed.com 1 points 2 hours ago

"They" being the University of Oxford?

[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 10 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

Fellows can sell seeds for fallow fields, my friend. never fear for they will forage, and be fine.

[–] SolarMonkey@slrpnk.net 1 points 10 minutes ago* (last edited 8 minutes ago)

Didn’t use fertile or follow or falter. Fine folly.

[–] MajorasTerribleFate@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 hours ago

V, is that you?

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 17 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

But Brawndo has the electrolites that plants crave!

Just in case the joke is too far of a stretch to make the connection, what I'm saying is the obvious simple solution isn't profitable.

They'd rather sell you a solution that doesn't actually work, then give you a solution that works that they can't make profit on.

So Brawndo for bees too? Done!

[–] protist@retrofed.com 1 points 2 hours ago

Who is "they" in this case

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 10 points 7 hours ago

It also doesn't degrade ecosystems further.

Bees aren't just the domesticated honey bees.

[–] manxu@piefed.social 8 points 7 hours ago

Yeah, I found that pretty weird, too. Not only that, but you can't get that yeast for the next two years. Your method works yesterday haha.