this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2023
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๐ scientists genetically engineer a new bacteria that can digest plastics
๐จ the bacteria escaped containment and is spreading prodigiously
Grey goo is the future
Like a giant garbage disposal of dolphins?
Is that a thing or are you doing a bit?
There ARE bacteria that can digest certain plastics.
"plastic" is just a catch-all term for polymers, but there are different kinds made of different materials. Your phone case isn't the same plastic as a milk jug. (abs/PETG vs HDPE, their long science names don't really matter it's just to show the difference)
Over the decades, certain kinds of bacteria have been shown to eat certain plastics in the right conditions.
Unfortunately, it's those "right conditions" that make large scale plastic disposal via bacteria not feasible right now.
I'm sure someone is barreling toward discovering a "this thing eats almost all polymers in normal outside temperatures" to make their company more profitable, while ignoring the fact that if it breaks out of their containment areas, "bacteria that can eat all your plastic things in a few weeks breaks containment, billions in damages already" could potentially hit the headlines within a month.
Yeah, that's DoOmPoStInG but it's a potential thing that could happen, and people are actively TRYING to make some of those things happen already, so it's within possibility.
We low-level accidentally Day the Earth Stood Still remake Gort ourselves, basically?
Possibly.. Unfortunately there won't be an emotionless Keanu around to talk about being on a precipice to save us.
My biggest fear with plastic-eating bacteria is with electrical insulation or pipes. Like, okay, I can deal with the idea that my computer mouse might slowly break down overtime as a result of bacteria chewing on it. However, the last thing I want is a surprise house fire or surprise flood because bacteria have been chewing on the insulation or pipes in the walls.
The longer you think about it, the more you realize how much plastic is in EVERYTHING
Sorry guys I can't join the raid tonight bacteria chewed my mother board
Im always doing a bit
It's not outside the realm of possibility. Though it had to be the perfect storm for something like that to cause a global catastrophe.