🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <C0C251.Cxz.1@cs.cmu.edu>, roberts@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov (John
Roberts) wrote:
> 
> 
> Regarding the utilization of energy sources on Earth, which was discussed
> in the context of importing energy from space:
> 
> A report on the radio this morning described a genetically engineered
> bacterium, in which two genes were spliced in to allow it to do a very
> good job of converting complex carbohydrates (including celluose) into
> ethanol. Evidently the project is far enough along that there are plans
> to build a plant in New York, to produce 15(?) million gallons of ethanol
> per year from paper mill sludge.
> 
> Now, let's hope the bacterium doesn't get loose in the environment, or 
> that it requires something to live that's found only in the culture tanks. :-)
> 
> John Roberts
> roberts@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov

Well yes I guess that could be a problem, but if most attempts to grow
microorganisms in "megaculture" offer any lessons then just the opposite is
more likely.

Usually what happens is that the cultures become contaminated with
something far more competitive than the "special bug"  and the special bug
just gets killed off by the competition.  Alternatively the special bug may
grow competitively only under very narrowly defined conditions. Such
conditions are quite hard to maintain with a heterogenous feedstock like
forest products.  Also variables as simple as temperature control are not
always easy to maintain between for example--winter and summer.  I would
like to hear comments from the people who make antibiotics by fermentation
on the probability of success here. 

It is a very long jump from the lab to tons and tons of paper pulp which
may be none too sterile. This particular dream (cellulose ---> ethanol) has
been around for a long time.  I, for one, will believe it when someone
actually makes a buck on it. 

Woody Ligon
Standard Disclaimer Applies
(ligon@macgw1.crd.ge.com)