Gengineered E. Coli Eat Sawgrass, Crap Jet Fuel

[Schneibster]

Three strains of genetically engineered E. Coli bacteria have been developed that can consume sawgrass and generate bio-gasoline, bio-diesel, and bio-jet fuel. Sawgrass can replace corn, is more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and makes much more fuel than corn can both since all of the biomass is used, not a small part with concentrated carbohydrates like the corn kernels, and because it doesn't require as much irrigation, the major limiting factor on corn ethanol production.

The scientists who did it predict that this will be possible for many other organic feedstocks in fairly short order, we're talking months and years not a decade.

Read all about it. The implications for global politics and global warming, to name only the two most obvious, are interesting to say the least.

[Geoff]

Three strains of genetically engineered E. Coli bacteria have been developed that can consume sawgrass and generate bio-gasoline, bio-diesel, and bio-jet fuel. Sawgrass can replace corn, is more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and makes much more fuel than corn can both since all of the biomass is used, not a small part with concentrated carbohydrates like the corn kernels, and because it doesn't require as much irrigation, the major limiting factor on corn ethanol production.

The scientists who did it predict that this will be possible for many other organic feedstocks in fairly short order, we're talking months and years not a decade.

Read all about it. The implications for global politics and global warming, to name only the two most obvious, are interesting to say the least.

Yeah, I was reading that earlier, and another article (which I can't now find... ) about using cyanobacteria for a similar thing.

[Schneibster]

I think I saw the cyanobacteria one somewhere, whoever finds it post.

I'm interested in the global warming part, which it will help but not fix since coal-fired electric plants are currently the biggest carbon threat. Also, what if the Middle East becomes suddenly unimportant? Not to mention what if rich oil companies' profits are threatened by this stuff? Realize that once this bacterium is available, anyone can grow sawgrass in their backyard and brew gasoline like beer, kinda.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Now teach them to eat kudzu and we have the energy crisis whipped.

[Schneibster]

I doubt it would be hard.

[JimC]

Presumably it would not be hard to make use of any fibrous plant material in the same way. Also, the residue should be usable fertiliser...

[Tyrannical]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

[JimC]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Possibly it can be grown in areas not suitable for food crops, but more importantly, the fibrous plant waste from food crops can be utilised, creating a win-win situation...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Possibly it can be grown in areas not suitable for food crops, but more importantly, the fibrous plant waste from food crops can be utilised, creating a win-win situation...

Tyrannical always sees the up side of things.

[Geoff]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

So then we engineer another bacterium to convert the poor into fuel...oh, wait, I'm poor...never mind...

[laklak]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

So then we engineer another bacterium to convert the poor into fuel...oh, wait, I'm poor...never mind...

Why would we convert meat into fuel?

[Schneibster]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Actually, using it for ethanol raised the price above what it was.

But who cares about reality, right? No biggie.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Actually, using it for ethanol raised the price above what it was.

That was his point. We're back to hurting the poor due to scarcity.

[Schneibster]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Actually, using it for ethanol raised the price above what it was.

That was his point. We're back to hurting the poor due to scarcity.

And mine is, if we stop using it for ethanol the price will go down.

What's yours?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Sawgrass can replace corn

And then we are back to the raising food prices hurting the poor because we grow less corn.

Actually, using it for ethanol raised the price above what it was.

That was his point. We're back to hurting the poor due to scarcity.

And mine is, if we stop using it for ethanol the price will go down.

What's yours?

You both said the same thing. If corn is used for gasoline, the poor will not be able to afford the food that's left after the bulk of it is used to power Hummers.