Race is on to produce a super-coral to survive world’s warming seas

MicroWave@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 165 points –
Race is on to produce a super-coral to survive world’s warming seas
theguardian.com

It is one of the least understood processes in nature. How do two very different species learn to live with each other and create a bond, known as symbiosis, which can give them a powerful evolutionary advantage?

Coral reefs are the most spectacular manifestations of symbiosis – and understanding the mechanics of this mutual endeavour has become an urgent task as global warming has triggered the widespread collapse of reefs across the planet.

In a bid to halt this destruction, an international group of researchers led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute is working together on the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics (ASG) project. Powerful DNA sequencers are now unravelling the genetic secrets of coral, data that could be vital in saving the world’s reefs, and understanding the mysterious processes that drive symbiosis.

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Wouldn't it be better to just stop doing the thing that's making the existing reefs die?

In that regard only, even complete course correction at this stage won't effect change quick enough. There must be some supplemental action like this.

NOOO!!!!! SUPERCORAL IS THE ONLY SOLUTION!!!!

Buy spores now!

Why don't we just 3d print fake, plastic corals and put them into the sea? It will look about the same right?

/s

Yes, but it seems creating an environment to survive humanity is easier than changing humanity.

Don’t worry, humanity can’t outlive itself, and in a short million years it will be like we never existed.

The human effect is just an elaborate version of “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.”