Scientists have developed genetically modified microbes that
are solely reliant on artificial compounds to survive. This is for safety, as
they will perish in the environment after completing their jobs. This can also
be applied to bugs such as E coli having them target certain chemicals to live.
However, this is risky as the bugs might mingle with non-GM microbes, mutating
and giving them ability to feed on other substances. To counter this the amino
acid the E coli was to target is made to be unique as to keep the bugs from
finding similar compounds. Furthermore a series of many mutations would be
required for the microbes to become able to consume other chemicals. Overall
the tests look promising as over a trillion have been produced with none
mutated enough to survive without their specific chemical. Perhaps in the
future we will se this method being applied in the field. To read more of the
Guardian article click here.
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| Photo:Erbe/Pooley/Rex Features |
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