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Science and a Side of Diplomacy

A new Swiss program aims to back long-term science projects, such as tackling excess carbon in the atmosphere, the Associated Press reports. It adds that the program, called the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), could also act as a body to settle scientific disputes.

According to the AP, the backers of GESDA, which include the Swiss government, say that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for not only advanced preparation for pandemics, but also the need for diplomacy. "We could have perhaps been more prepared for the pandemic than we were today," Peter Brabeck, the former chair and CEO of Nestle, who was tapped by the Swiss to lead GESDA, tells the AP. "Only a scientific breakthrough is not enough. It has to be embedded in a diplomatic framework."

In a press release, GESDA says it is planning a summit in October to bring together UN officials, scientists, diplomats, and others to discuss key scientific issues including human genome engineering, quantum computing, space resources, and more.

The Scan

Genes Linked to White-Tailed Jackrabbits' Winter Coat Color Change

Climate change, the researchers noted in Science, may lead to camouflage mismatch and increase predation of white-tailed jackrabbits.

Adenine Base Editor Targets SCID Mutation in New Study

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, report in Cell that adenine base editing was able to produce functional T lymphocytes in a model of severe combined immune deficiency.

Researchers Find Gene Affecting Alkaline Sensitivity in Plants

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science have found a locus affecting alkaline-salinity sensitivity, which could aid in efforts to improve crop productivity, as they report in Science.

International Team Proposes Checklist for Returning Genomic Research Results

Researchers in the European Journal of Human Genetics present a checklist to guide the return of genomic research results to study participants.