Index >> Microbial Genetics >> Environmental Applications of Genetic Engineering

Environmental Applications of Genetic Engineering - Genetically modified microorganisms could be used for degrada­tion of wastes, in sewage, oil spills, etc. Scientists of the General Electric Laboratories of New York have added plasmids to create strains of Pseudomonas that can break down a variety of hydrocarbons.

This strain bas been used to clear up oil spills. It can degrade 60% of the crude oil, while the four parents from which it was derived break down only a few compounds. The discovery was awarded a patent, this being the first patent for a living organism