[DIYbio] Re: Ethics of Guerrilla planting Transgenic plants

Thanks for the responses. This is predominantly a hypothetical question. some of the ideas for projects at the space had been circling around this topic but I'm sure there is no palpable desire to release transgenes with out permissions. 

I have read some interesting articles about trangenic poplars with CYP2E1 expression. I've given some thought into putting a similar gene of the P450 family into a transgenic P. virgatum for hastier root establishment. Sebastian made a point that nuclear transform then gives the pollen the same traits, which could possibly be accepted by another plant that could receive the transgene. Would this necessarily be a bad thing if its an expression for the metabolism of VOCs, BTEX, and halogenated compounds?

On Friday, November 21, 2014 7:49:34 PM UTC-8, Nico B. wrote:

A few of the projects that are being done at the maker space I go to for synbio classes are directed towards bioremediation through transgenic guerrilla gardening. We've been discussing the need for heavy monitoring to prevent propagation for the potential of ecosystem/food web disruption, but I'd like to hear more reasons for why and why not guerrilla garden transgenic species of grasses/shrubs for biodegradation of pollutants, sequestration of heavy metals in urban soils, ground water filtration, etc.

Thanks