2 ms·
I wonder if anyone has genetically modified microorganisms to synthesize illegal drugs. Seem like if this happens, the DEA is going to have a really rough time.
by cwkoss 8y ago
I wonder if anyone has genetically modified microorganisms to synthesize illegal drugs. Seem like if this happens, the DEA is going to have a really rough time.
- dekhn 8y agoYou mean like this? http://science.sciencemag.org/content/349/6252/1095 http://science.sciencemag.org/content/349/6252/1095 or this? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25994576 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25994576
- cwkoss 8y agoWow! Very interesting, thanks for those links
- philipkglass 8y agoYou can synthesize a useful precursor to enantiomerically pure methamphetamine from baker's yeast and benzaldehyde. It's been found in an actual clandestine drug lab at least once: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19443151 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19443151 It's rare for organized crime to resort to sophisticated precursor-manufacturing because they can buy/smuggle such chemicals more easily than doing multi-stage manufacturing starting from commodity chemicals. It's rare for solo operators[1] because most "meth cooks" are not capable bench chemists. Following simple recipes assembled by others is about all they can do. [1] Ones that get caught, anyway.