Scientists are working on a slew of new GMO crops (genetically modified organisms) that, in addition to coming in fun summer colors, will possess exaggerated health-promoting traits, like cancer-fighting pink pineapples and heart-healthy purple tomatoes. Due to significant genetic juggling, the pineapple, created by Del Monte Fresh Produce, is rich in the cancer-fighting chemical lycopene.
GMO crops get a bad rap — I imagine that a diss from world famous scientist Jane Goodall is about as bad as it gets for a GMO. But in the United States, many produce items sold in grocery stores are already GMO, like corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and papaya.
Biotechnologist Gregory Jaffe admits that sometimes GMOs can create unforseen issues by introducing an allergen or harming the environment, but he believes all GMO food currently on the market is safe to eat.
While they're at it, maybe food scientists could make a pineapple that's a little easier to cut? Just a thought. Stephanie Talmadge
Avengers: Endgame opened in the U.S. with Thursday previews as film-industry analysts predict the Marvel sequel will surpass Avengers: Infinity War's opening weekend of $257 million, Deadline reports. Many have predicted the film will gross between $260 million and $270 million in what would be the biggest domestic opening in history, with some estimating North American debut ticket sales of $300 million.
Only six movies in history have achieved a domestic opening greater than $200 million. With the movie opening in 4,600 theaters in North America, it will have the widest release ever. Endgame is expected to rake in $850 million to $900 million in its global debut, possibly even topping $1 billion, according to The Hollywood Reporter says. The film already has smashed records for pre-sold tickets. Harold Maass
A federal three-judge panel ruled unanimously Thursday that Michigan's map of congressional and state legislative districts was unfairly drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature to give the GOP "a strong, systematic, and durable structural advantage in Michigan's elections and decidedly discriminates against Democrats."
The judges gave the GOP legislature until Aug. 1 to draw new maps acceptable to the state's new Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. If they fail, or the map still violates the First Amendment rights of Democrats, the court will draw the new maps. The new districts must be ready by the 2020 election, the court found, and it ordered new state Senate elections in 2020, not 2022 as scheduled, in any gerrymandered district. A majority of Michigan's 14 congressional elections could be held in new districts next year, too.
"This court joins the growing chorus of federal courts that have, in recent years, held that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional," the judges wrote in their opinion. The case was brought by the League of Women Voters of Michigan. State GOP lawmakers said they will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, which may choose to suspend it until the high court hands down rulings on two other partisan gerrymandering cases in June.
"The decision is likely a boon for Democrats, who in 2018 failed to win a majority of the seats in the state House of Representatives, state Senate, or the state's U.S. congressional delegation despite winning the overall popular vote in all three cases," Reuters notes. Peter Weber