MadSci Network: Genetics |
Would it be possible to genetically engineer a Christmas tree that would produce the same glowing effect as seen in the tobacco plant that had the gene for production of luciferase inserted into it's DNA? Such a tree could be marketted as a tree that needs no Christmas lights. The money generated through sales could be fed directly into your science research programs, and the trees could be sold with pamphlets that would further educate the public about recombinant DNA and genetic engineering. Two setbacks to this idea are that the tree would probably have to be kept alive to maintain luciferase production, and that it would be hard to manufacture enough luciferose to water the trees with to produce the glowing effect. Would it be possible though to create synthetic luciferose factories in bacterium? You could also sell the trees small and in pots to keep them alive. Would the trees be able to reproduce trees of the same kind? It might seem like a far fetched idea, but it also just might work.
Re: Would it be possible to engineer a glowing Christmas tree?
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