Scientists use CRISPR to alter social behaviour of ants

In a world-first, scientists have genetically engineered ants to lack their sense of smell, affecting the animals' ability to communicate. Scientists used the controversial CRISPR technology to disrupt the ants' ability to communicate, forage or compete to be a queen, as their antennae and brain circuits failed to fully develop. While the system has not yet been tested in humans, the researchers believe that it could one day be used to treat conditions that affect social communication, including schizophrenia and depression. In a world-first, scientists have genetically engineered ants to lack their sense of smell, affecting the animals' ability to communicate Crispr technology precisely changes small parts of genetic code. Unlike other gene-silencing tools, the Crispr system targets the genome's source material and permanently turns off genes at the DNA level.