3 ms·
I was thinking the same. Worst case scenario with a solution like this one is that these organisms get into the wild, gain more mutations, and then rapidly rele
by abcc8 4y ago
I was thinking the same. Worst case scenario with a solution like this one is that these organisms get into the wild, gain more mutations, and then rapidly release a large volume of carbon, currently sequestered as plastic, into the atmosphere. Or, plastic-tropic organisms used as a weapon, sprayed over cities, etc.
- CameronNemo 4y agoPerhaps plastic should start being compressed into bricks for long term storage that does not lead to leaching.
- faitswulff 4y agoNote: the article talks about an enzyme, which is a simple protein. They might manufacture it via organic means, but the enzyme by itself has no capacity to reproduce or mutate.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- abcc8 4y agoThat is true, but the best and easiest way to make a huge mass of a specific enzyme is to grow it in something, either bacteria or yeast. If it is in an organism, the organism can escape into the wild.
- faitswulff 4y agoThat's a much smaller threat than if the organism itself were to be applied directly to plastics. Designer organisms aren't generally well-suited to spreading in the wild and even if they were, they could be engineered to require a certain dependency that they would die without. But yes, still theoretically it's possible.
- netizen-936824 4y agoDid I miss something? What organism are you referring to? An enzyme is a protein not an organism
- bitwize 4y agoAn enzyme is a protein molecule, not a living thing. Probably the biggest risk is that some wildlife or fish may be allergic to it.