© 2026 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more.

Genetic Hacking

NPR's Richard Harris reports on new scientific findings that have enormous potential for genetic engineering. Two groups of researchers have discovered a way to "hack into" the DNA of bacteria, and trick them into using an additional amino acid to build proteins. The findings eventually could be used to produce new medicines, new materials, and even new life forms.

Copyright 2001 NPR

Thanks to you, WUSF is here — delivering fact-based news and stories that reflect our community.⁠ Your support powers everything we do.