New source of energy that we ignore?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080228/ts_afp/scienceusitgenetics

Read this article above, do you think that this is a good idea?

What do you think of the chances of the experiment going wrong? like a mutation?

Answer 1

Brilliant idea.Will it not mess up nature.?

Answer 2

BRILLIANT :O

this guy could become the most powerful man on the planet with the right help...

he could solve pollution issues im meby 50 years!

Answer 3

Brilliant, if he can do it.  I wish him all the luck in the world.

Answer 4

pretty smart

Answer 5

Wonderful idea, if it can satisfy 3 requirements:

1.  Grow on CO2 from the atmosphere in open ponds, rather than needing enclosed growth systems with enriched CO2.

2.  Not be out-competed by wild algae or fall prey to wild predator organisms.

3.  Not be toxic to other organisms (which would make it a pest if it escaped).

These are somewhat contradictory.  Hydrocarbons like octane are nasty contaminants of groundwater, so you don't want the bugs that make it getting loose.  However, if the bugs can't compete against wild algae and the stuff that eats algae, the open ponds will wind up being full of that other stuff.  And if you can't grow the stuff in open ponds, your costs go sky-high and you probably need to take fossil carbon for feedstock.

I suppose one way around this is to start with something like a salt-loving alga which can't grow in anything other than nearly saturated salt (even seawater would be too dilute), but my attitude on this is "wait and see".

Answer 6

For the most part I agree with engineer. Except on one aspect. With an open pond any methane produced would simply float away on the breeze. A better solution would be to have the ponds housed inside a green house. The glassed roof and walls allows for sunlight to reach the ponds. A simple air exchange could bring in fresh CO2 laaden air whilst sucking out the methane rich air. Having the ponds enclosed inside a green house would also help to contain the bacteria.