Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles

[ScottulusMaximus]

What happens when the enzyme evolves further and starts eating mcdonalds?

this is a good thing, I just hope it does not mutate into eating through metal

enzyme mutates, spreads and starts breaking down concrete...world faces collapse...

Enzymes can mutate. No need to "evolution" so to speak.

Enzymes cannot evolve or mutate, they're not a living organism.

Did none of you do Biology, or even science, in school?

 

[now05ster]

I am going to have to put a reign on everyone's parade.

Firstly, enzymes are molecular structures that serve as highly efficient catalysts for reactions. This means that the process of evolution doesn't actually apply to enzymes themselves as there is no natural selection.

The bacterium that evolved to produce this enzyme certainly can evolve, but that is a different story.

Joykill. LOL

 

[The_Assimilator]

Enzymes cannot evolve or mutate, they're not a living organism.

Did none of you do Biology, or even science, in school?

They also didn't do "basic Googling to make you not look like an uninformed idiot".

 

[b_crazy]

What happens when the enzyme evolves further and starts eating mcdonalds?

You mean if it evolved from eating plastic to eating cardboard?

 

[Flanders]

I think the idea is to release it into the oceans, rivers or where ever there is a stupid amount of plastic that needs to be removed.

Heaven help us. Surely attempting this in a controlled environment is a better way to go?

An interesting JRE podcast yesterday dealing with the topic of oceanic plastic clean up:

[video=youtube;J145vnEZX6w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J145vnEZX6w[/video]

 

[SweetFennyAdams]

Awsome. Tweak it a bit more to dissolve crude oil and drop it into the world's oil wells.
That will stop most wars on our planet and force us to live sustainably.

 

[ArtyLoop]

Awsome. Tweak it a bit more to dissolve crude oil and drop it into the world's oil wells.
That will stop most wars on our planet and force us to live sustainably.

Good grief.... the fail is strong with this one...

 

[Techne]

Shame, the earth just wanted plastic now these critters are going to screw it up...
[video=youtube_share;NBRquiS1pis]https://youtu.be/NBRquiS1pis[/video]

 

[The_Assimilator]

Good grief.... the fail is strong with this one...

Put it on ignore like everyone else does and enjoy the sound of sanity.

 

[AirWolf]

Nothing new - saw this on last season of Scorpion already .

 

[pinball wizard]

Enzymes cannot evolve or mutate, they're not a living organism.

Did none of you do Biology, or even science, in school?

Reading the comments I think most of them didn't go to school.

Yes I mean you muppets that use reign for rain and all the other assorted nonsensical drivel.

 

[The_Assimilator]

Reading the comments I think most of them didn't go to school.

Yes I mean you muppets that use reign for rain and all the other assorted nonsensical drivel.

could of

 

[Mila]

Proof: MBB can fight about anything.

 

[TrueSeeker]

Ok, so how exactly are they planning on containing the enzyme?

This is a good step, and if it is limited to breaking down plastic bottles, the risk is minimal.

But..

If this "mutant" enzyme mutates to consume ALL types of plastic, we might have a problem.

Erm... Just want to check in and make sure that everybody understands that enzymes are not living things. Just chemicals produced by living things. And although catalytic in purpose they do run out. They do not multiply, or mutate on their own. These guys just tweaked a chemical produced by certain bacteria and enhanced its function. Which is to break down plastic. Into. I suppose sugars or something.

 

[Magnum]

this is a good thing, I just hope it does not mutate into eating through metal

Happening to the Titanic.

 

[crackersa]

So it evolved into Americans?

Lol

 

[Techne]

Is the gene on a plasmid or part the bacterias' genome? The formers implies it can spread faster.

 

[sucked]

What happens when the enzyme evolves further and starts eating mcdonalds?

So it evolved into Americans?

:crylaugh:

 

[pinball wizard]

could of

Could of, could have.... grammar is to mybb what logic is to land restitution without compensation.

 

[Insint]

Ok, so how exactly are they planning on containing the enzyme?

This is a good step, and if it is limited to breaking down plastic bottles, the risk is minimal.

But..

If this "mutant" enzyme mutates to consume ALL types of plastic, we might have a problem.

This, it's very good but it won't be nice if those bacteria goes rogue and start eating car bumpers. Plastic will instantly be come useless.