The long-held belief that certain portions of our genetic code are simply ‘junk DNA’ may be on the verge of being upended. According to a new study published in Nature, researchers have found that RNA previously thought to be non-coding and therefore non-functional may actually have a purpose. This discovery raises numerous questions about the potential role of these so-called ‘junk genes’ and could have major implications for our understanding of genetics and disease. Are we on the brink of uncovering a whole new chapter in the story of RNA, and if so, how might this change our approach to treating and studying genetic conditions?

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source: Phys.org