Scientists have recently found that squids can make genetic edits in the cytoplasm, which is unusual compared to other creatures. Normally these edits occur inside of the nucleus and travel to the rest of the body. This ability indicated that squids could quickly create proteins tailored to their needs. Researchers discovered an mRNA editing protein called ADAR2 in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the squids.
Further research may help scientists to copy this technique of squids and use it to treat chronic pain in humans. The method would be very similar to CRISPR, but for RNA, which could come with advantages. As biologist Joshua Rosenthal mentioned in the article, manipulating RNA would be less risky than DNA, because if you change DNA you cannot go back.
Articles:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/squid-edit-their-genetic-material-uniquely-weird-place
It's amazing how other animals have such great control over their genetic variations compared to us!
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