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Genetically Modified Mouthwashing Bacteria

Posted by timothy on from the wash-your-mouth-out-with-bugs dept.

Moxen writes: "The BBC is running an article about a genetically modified bacterium that is intended to replace the existing lactic-acid-producing variety currently residing in your mouth. Once the new bacteria have replaced the old, you can apparently expect the elimination of 'most tooth decay.' Rather clever, if you don't mind playing host to a colony of GMOs."

4 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Darwin. by WasterDave · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It appears to me that we've evolved to have the organisms in our mouth that we do have for a reason. Whatever that reason may be. Maybe sometimes we should just *not* fuck with nature?

    Dave

    --
    I write a blog now, you should be afraid.
    1. Re:Darwin. by Cuthalion · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Just like we're evolved to have lice.

      --
      Trees can't go dancing
      So do them a big favor
      Pretend dancing stinks!
  2. Sugar by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Americans eat over 100 lbs. of sugar a year, compared with only 12 pounds in 1900. Maybe the reason we need to keep finding ways to clean our teeth is because we're constantly rotting them out of our heads with our sugar-laden American diet. The overconsumption of sugar also leads to osteoporosis and diabetes.

    1. Re:Sugar by kroymen · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Not to mention that in 1900 our diets contained much more concentrated sources of the nutrients that help our bodies to both modulate infections and re-mineralize dental caries. Neither of these phenomena is really recognized by the current medical or dental establishment, yet both exist. This is also tightly coupled to the exploding rates of osteoporosis...it's not as simple as chewing a nummy viactive calcium chew or popping a pill...

      We also have less well-developed teeth now than we once did for the same reasons mentioned above. This also contributes to decay since we have poorer enamel and crooked, crowded teeth that are predisposed to harboring food and bacteria.

      Get a copy of the somewhat dated but still invaluable "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Dr Weston A. Price...but check your biases at the front cover if you're a vegetarian...