GENE GENIE

In the latest advance of the gene editing process, it is the turn of bulls to be rid of their horns.

Scientists at the University of California have genetically engineered male cattle to rid them of their dangerous prongs.

They have bred hornless bulls after splicing the hornless gene from the Aberdeen Angus cattle into the widespread black and white Holstein dairy cows.

The bulls now grow soft hair on the parts of their heads where hard mounds normally emerge.

Regulators have not yet agreed whether animals produced through genetic engineering should be allowed into the food chain.

Even on a linguistic level, if we lose such phrases as grabbing the bull by the horns, it will be a sad outcome.