Name: de tar
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 1993
Question:
How many years will it be before Genetically Engineered
Microorganisms are released into the environment?
Replies:
Some already have been in controlled and government-approved
tests. So have some non-micro organisms, mainly some food crop plants and
cattle strains.
moodywj
In addition to the previous response, I might add that although
there are several examples of GEMS which have been released for beneficial
purposes, caution must be exercised in order that a potentially harmful
organism does not escape into the environment without extremely careful
supervision and complete control over its spread. An example of this is the
engineered bacteria which make use of crude oil as a carbon source, patented
for use on oil spills. Although spraying a solution with these organisms in
it can help clean up spills and decrease the OIL'S impact on the environment,
you have to be careful about knowing in advance what the organisms will turn
to for food once the oil is gone -- will it attack the hydrocarbons of other
living organisms?
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