Sci-Fi The Gray Goo Scenario May Become A Reality

[Tom]

Plastic-Munching Bacteria Could Save the Planet : DNews

Now, researchers in Japan have discovered a new kind of bacteria that can break down one common form of plastic into its chemical building blocks, a discovery that could save landfill space, oil and energy consumed in plastics manufacturing.

Gray Goo Scenario: In a common practice, billions of nanobots are released to clean up an oil spill off the coast of Louisiana. However, due to a programming error, the nanobots devour all carbon based objects, instead of just the hydrocarbons of the oil. The nanobots destroy everything, all the while, replicating themselves. Within days, the planet is turned to dust.
Slight permutations of initial conditions can lead to unforeseen and profoundly negative downstream effects

I am wary of announcements like this. Bacteria are living organisms that reproduce and have waste. Their waste is in turn consumed by other organisms that reproduce. There is abundant food on the panet to create many reproductions. I can see this getting away from us easily.
There are many reports of species being introduced to an ecosystem where the result was not what was expected. Normal balances are upset and a crisis evolves over time.
We have the technology to recycle plastics. We have the technology to recycle just about anything. We are lazy and stingy so we try to find something that does it for us without any cost or effort on our part.
Technology has a way of slapping us silly over a small mis-step or ignorance of a related condition.
Will this be the trigger to a radical change for life on this planet?
Will we humans doom other lifeforms by our own ignorance?
Quick-fixes often lead to catastrophic conditions.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Kevin]

What are your thoughts?

That long after Man has left Earth that the destruction he left behind will survive.

But, to the direct topic at hand, wouldn't this really just be an extension of the microbes already out there that thrive on oil? (eg: How Microbes Helped Clean BP's Oil Spill) With plastics being oil based and there already being microbes that consume oil then one bacteria that is able to break down plastic wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

 

[Tom]

That long after Man has left Earth that the destruction he left behind will survive.

The oil microbes are still a rather new on the scene thing. Just because it hasn't affected nature adversely
yet doesn't mean its not going to. Same holds true for any new attempts to hide our gluttonous lifestyle.

I am not totally against the idea - just that we need to be absolutely sure that nothing can go wrong...ever.
Crude oil comes out of the ground naturally. Microbes that eat it are doing what comes naturally. Plastics (PCBs) are manufactured. Its not naturally forming otherwise there would be natural plastic deposits in the Earth's crust. If we tweak a lifeform to consume something that is not natural how can we hope to predict all the ramifications? Nature mutates in evolution. Are we setting a lifeform on a path to our own bio-destruction?
What is so scary is that it may not affect humans biologically but what if it destroys or consumes something that is required to maintain the balance?

In the ocean; kills off needed bottom feeders creating a toxic ocean
In the soil; kills off worms or other cleaners creating nutrient poor soil
In the air; exudes toxins that build and pollute our breathable air

Fish become toxic for consumption, plants start becoming plasticized biologically or rain starts to stick to everything leaving a toxic film or sludge on everything.

Animals eat the plants and get sick, those that don't die off go mad and start attacking people. Humans create a new bacteria to counter those affects and everything gets worse.

All because we are too lazy to sort our trash and limit our need for wonderful plastic. Too cheap to recycle it and reuse it.

I recall the 60's when we used coal to heat our homes. I remember the smell and the soot on everything. Coal is a natural product of Earth. Look what we did with it.