Transgenic Mustard Cleans Up Soils 66
Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers have genetically modified a common plant, the Indian mustard, to absorb more selenium, a toxic heavy metal found in soils polluted by irrigation wastewater. The transgenic plants were four times more efficient at swallowing selenium than natural ones in a contaminated area of California's Central Valley, according to articles from Nature and Wired News. These field tests are only experiments, but the researchers also want to add genes to other plants to remove different toxic materials from soils, such as mercury. What would happen if such transgenic plants filled with dangerous chemicals start to crossbreed with natural ones? Or if an insect eats these plants before being eaten itself in the natural food chain, leading to some selenium in our food? Read more and tell me what you think."
Evolution (Score:2, Funny)
"It is discovered that selenium, an ingredient in some Head & Shoulders shampoos, is as poisonous to the alien life-forms as arsenic is to humans."
Just wanted to clear that up
"I don't think there's any time for lubrication"
"THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR LUBRICATION!"
Removing sludge from the environment (Score:4, Funny)
Precious Metals? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Precious Metals? (Score:3, Funny)
Obvious answer.. (Score:2, Funny)
Well of course we'd sue the natural plants for infringing the patents on this gene. Duh! Do we biotech IP lawyers have to explain everything to you guys?
Re:What If ... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:cross breeding (Score:3, Funny)