Heat-tolerant IVF corals offer hope for reef recovery: study

Young corals bred via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have shown remarkable resilience during a record marine heatwave in the Caribbean. A study found 90% of these corals remained healthy, compared to just 25% of older, non-IVF corals, many of which were bleached or died. Developed by Secore International, IVF breeding enhances genetic diversity, increasing adaptability to rising ocean temperatures. While older corals remain vulnerable, scientists believe the heat tolerance of young corals may stem from their ability to host more heat-tolerant symbiotic algae. However, researchers emphasise that coral restoration alone cannot combat climate change without reducing global carbon emissions. (The Guardian)