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Genetically engineered plant research. Plant geneticist introducing acyltransferase genes from a tung tree (Vernicia fordii) plant into the genome of thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana). This is being done to make the thale cress plant produce the same oils as the tung plant. This research hopes to engineer plants that readily produce oils that might be used to replace fossil fuels in the future. The foreign DNA is transferred by dipping the plants (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/PEGGY GREB/US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)