gene shears

Technique in genetic engineering which may have practical applications in the future. The gene shears are pieces of messenger RNA that can bind to other pieces of messenger RNA, recognizing specific sequences, and cut them at that point. If a piece of DNA which codes for the shears can be inserted in the chromosomes of a plant or animal cell, that cell will then destroy all messenger RNA of a particular type. Genetic shears may be used to protect plants against viruses which infect them and cause disease. They might also be useful against AIDS.