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BY Tali Aaron : March 4

Tobacco's Redemption Continues: Genetically Modified Tobacco can Clean Up the Environment

tobacco plant - genetically modified tobacco clean water toxins


Researchers at the Center for Infection at St. George's University of London just announced the creation of a genetically modified strain of tobacco which can be planted in fresh water to eliminate toxic pond scum without using traditional water treatment methods. The modified tobacco plant absorbs and neutralizes the dangerous toxin, which makes standing water unfit for human consumption as well as fishing and swimming. This simple solution to fresh water contamination would be especially beneficial in developing nations.

Dr. Pascal M.W. Drake, co-author of the study released in the March 2010 edition of FASEB Journal, says the toxin microcystin-LR, known scientifically as MC-LR, is absorbed through the roots of the tobacco plant. This is the first application of genetic modification to create a transgenic plant which produces antibodies designed to target a specific environmental toxin. Genetic engineers believe this development could lead to new solutions in enviromental technology.

Other positive uses for tobacco:

Tobacco Enzymes can turn Non-edible Food Waste into Biofuel

Will Tobacco make the next Green Biofuel

8 Responses to Tobacco's Redemption Continues: Genetically Modified Tobacco can Clean Up the Environment

  1. buildaroo on December 4, 2011 at 8:49 pm


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  2. buildaroo on June 1, 2011 at 5:20 am


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  3. buildaroo on February 18, 2011 at 12:50 am


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  4. buildaroo on February 17, 2011 at 10:19 am


    Genetically Modified Crops Giant Monsanto faces anti-trust litigation http://bit.ly/bs4YLF #eco #cleantech #greenbuilding #renewableenergy

  5. vittorio fiermonte on February 14, 2011 at 3:39 pm


    sono interessato alla produzione di tabacco modificato per l'ecodisel, vorrei informazioni sulle società che ritirano questi oli estratti dal tabacco. grazie per la cortese attenzione

  6. ecopond on December 11, 2010 at 4:04 pm


    RT @cleangreenpro - Genetically Modified Crops Giant Monsanto faces anti-trust litigation http://bit.ly/bs4YLF #eco #cleantech #green...

  7. George on March 21, 2010 at 7:39 pm


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  8. Hartwell & Borjesson on March 21, 2010 at 6:35 pm


    RT @buildaroo: Genetically Modified Crops Giant Monsanto faces anti-trust litigation http://bit.ly/bs4YLF #environment #green #eco

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