It looks like they can and that would be a good thing, in principle, but...
The thing to temper this though is what happens if the bugs get into the wrong places? Much like diseases or species introduced into the environment to control other species which have then gotten out of control and wreaked havoc, so could this.
Plastics are normally fairly indestructible and hence long lasting from a chemical perspective, which is what we want when they're in use. However, put these modified e-coli bugs on them and they'll break down in short order, destroying whatever item they've made. Inconvenient if it happens to your smartphone, but potentially deadly when it impacts safety critical parts in a car such as brake pipes, for example.
This risk must be considered and mitigated carefully to avoid these problems. However, if history is anything to go by, companies and governments will just see the short term $$ signs of rushing this out without a second thought of the consequences and then we all pay the price to make them rich (richer?) quick.
uk.news.yahoo.com
The thing to temper this though is what happens if the bugs get into the wrong places? Much like diseases or species introduced into the environment to control other species which have then gotten out of control and wreaked havoc, so could this.
Plastics are normally fairly indestructible and hence long lasting from a chemical perspective, which is what we want when they're in use. However, put these modified e-coli bugs on them and they'll break down in short order, destroying whatever item they've made. Inconvenient if it happens to your smartphone, but potentially deadly when it impacts safety critical parts in a car such as brake pipes, for example.
This risk must be considered and mitigated carefully to avoid these problems. However, if history is anything to go by, companies and governments will just see the short term $$ signs of rushing this out without a second thought of the consequences and then we all pay the price to make them rich (richer?) quick.
Millions of pieces of plastic make their way into the sea every day - but could microbes turn them into useful chemicals instead?
Researchers in America have created a microbe which can turn one particular plastic into a chemical which can be used to make perfumes, clothes and even drugs.
The breakthrough is one of several which suggest that much of the millions of tons of plastic which is currently thrown away could be reused.
Could microbes help turn plastic pollution into useful chemicals?
Millions of pieces of plastic make their way into the sea every day - but could microbes turn them into useful chemicals instead?