Top Stories of 2008: Synthetic Genome

One of the top science stories of 2008 from Discover magazine:
#41: A Synthetic Genome Is Built From Scratch

This is one of the top Science news in 2008. Scientists at JCVI synthesize the genome of Mycoplasma genitalium using E. coli and then yeast. Of course, there’s a long way to from DNA to a functional organism. From transcription to translation, modification or mutaions take place to give unexpected results. The researchers also taken measures to make sure that this synthetic genome can’t survive outside the lab (Adding their names and “JCVI” in the genetic code was pretty cool). While controversial, this development can tell us a lot about a cell on the molecular level in future research.

Growth Hormone in Milk

From Scientific American’s Can Bovine Growth Hormone Help Slow Global Warming?:

There is currently a debate raging over the safety of bovine growth hormone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 ruled that it was not harmful and could be injected into cows to improve their milk production. But some studies have linked it with a risk of mastitis (udder infection) in cows, requiring the use of antibiotics that may in turn be contributing to the evolving resistance of bacteria to the drugs.

Bovine growth hormone is also known to stimulate the production of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF1) by the liver; some studies have shown that high levels of IGF1 in the bloodstream may heighten the risk of prostate and breast cancers as well as a woman’s chance of conceiving twins. As a result of consumer concerns, farmers in Australia, Canada, the European Union and New Zealand do not inject their cows with bovine growth hormone.

Back in high school (That was the 90’s. Geez, I feel so old), I read that high milk consumption had been linked to development of breast cancer. So it seems that growth hormone could be the culprit to blame. If the farmers can really sustain the same amount of milk production and keep the greenhouse gas emission in check without depending on injecting the cows with GH, everyone will be happy. And then I can keep drinking milk with an eased mind. I really don’t want to think about what to eat for breakfast. I’m happy with the bowl of cereal every morning.

Bacteria that breaks down plastic bags

OK, I’ve written about a terrifying burden on the environment that is plastic bags. Now a Canadian high school student may find a plausible solution to this problem — by isolating bacteria that break down plastic bags in 3 months, instead of millions of years.

Serotonin controls appetite and metabolism independently

Source: Scientific American’s The Skinny on Fat: You’re Not Always What You Eat

Have you ever wonder why some people can just gobble down foods but still stay skinny? Recent study done by the scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, (U.C.S.F.) may shine some light on the matter.

China bans plastic bags to fight “white pollution”

In response to Scientific American News – China Sacks Plastic Bags

The Chinese government is set to ban the manufacture and force shopkeepers to charge for the distribution of bags thinner than 0.025 millimeters thick as of June 1. People have been using plastic bags for everything — even to contain hot food for which plastic bags are not suitable. I’m glad to see that the Chinese government is taking the steps to recognize the importance of environmental issues such as this and educate its people. Everything China does will have a huge impact just because of the big population, so this is significant.

However, it remains to be seen whether this policy will hold up in the face of opposition. Manufacturers of the bags and citizens who are used to them already showed some displeasure. Also, people may end up putting more plastic in the landfill, because they just use the thicker plastic bags for convenience. This is what happened when a similar policy was adopted in Taiwan.

As I’ve written in Biodegradable Plastics, the idea of switching to biodegradable plastics may not be the best option because these polymers do not break down quickly as expected, because the conditions in the landfill is not ideal for degradation. I strongly recommend everyone, whereever you live, to reduce the use of plastic bags and get into the habit of bringing your own shopping bag.

Saving the Earth and fighting global warming is all about changing our lifestyle and everyday habits. We can do it!