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A taste of the chocolate genome

Competing teams announce impending completion of cacao DNA sequence

By Rachel Ehrenberg

- More than 2 years ago

The genetic blueprint of the chocolate tree is at hand, but not quite in mouth.

BEAN GENES Pending drafts of the genetic blueprint of the cacao tree, the source of chocolate, will eventually help farmers breed disease-resistant varieties, two research teams assert. Forest and Kim Starr

Two independent teams have completed drafts of the DNA sequence of the cacao tree, the source of chocolate, scientists announced September 15.