Gene editing is now being used in research around New Zealand, usually to ‘switch off’ genes one by one in order to figure out what they do. Overseas, this technology has started to emerge from the lab—it has the potential to help eradicate pests, save threatened species, even cure diseases—and soon, we’ll have to decide whether gene editing should be permitted more widely in New Zealand.


	Life hackers Gene editing is being used in research around New Zealand, usually to ‘switch off’ genes one by one in order to figure out what they do. Overseas, this technology has started to emerge from the lab—it has the potential to help eradicate pests, save threatened species, even cure diseases. Soon, we’ll have to decide whether gene editing should be permitted more widely in New Zealand. What are the risks? What could we use it for? And how should we decide?

Into the big white

Earlier last week, a team of 10 left Scott Base to travel to the heart of the Ross Ice Shelf. New Zealand Geographic photographer Neil Silverwood is one of them.

Owls don't go deaf

All birds can regrow damaged hair cells in the inner ear, preserving their hearing into old age, while mammals have lost the ability to do so.


	See the finalists in Photographer of the Year 2017 This season heralds a bumper crop of finalists in the Photographer of the Year competition—65 sparkling new visions of our society and environment from the finest photographers in the country. You can view the whole lot online, vote for your favourites for the Panasonic People's Choice award, or get along to the exhibitions in Cathedral Square, Christchurch (on now) and Auckland Museum (from December 15). See the finalists and vote here. Photo: Jason Hosking