Cottonmouth: A Whole New Meaning

Scientists have created the first edible cottonseed through genetic engineering.

Mother Nature created cottonseed with a chemical that's toxic to humans called gossypol. Researchers at the Institute for Plant Genomics & Biotechnology at Texas A&M University used RNA interference to disrupt a key gene necessary for synthesizing the toxin.

And why would we want to eat cottonseeds? Apparently they are very high in protein, so scientists think it could feed the impoverished.

Considering that the 44 million metric tons of cottonseed produced annually could nutritionally support 500 million people, gossypol-free cotton may provide a boon for global malnutrition, the researchers say. Also, besides the potential of edible cottonseed, RNA interference could possibly be applied to other crops with toxic components, such as fava beans, to increase their utilization.

Mmmmmmmm… cottonseeds. The seeds in the top image contain poisonous gossypol. It's removed in the bottom ones.

PNAS