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Mining Metals Using Plants and Trees?

Posted by Hemos on from the storing-up-the-evil dept.

elroySF writes "An MIT Technology Review article says "...Scientists reported Monday that they have bioengineered a plant capable of absorbing arsenic from soil and sequenced the complete set of genes for a microbe that can remove heavy metals from water." It goes on to say "...Some scientists even see the day when trees and grasses will be used to mine metals and minerals without disturbing the soil." " We had a story about this a while back.

3 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. the tree huggin hippes are going to be pissed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    its going to be fun to watch em. sorta like poking a cat with a stick.

  2. Control? by sheepab · · Score: 0, Troll

    How do we control these plants? What happens if they get into the wild, which would eventually happen due to human error. I cant even imagine the impact these plants would have on our ecosystem. On the other hand, can we genetically engineer some plants to repair our ozone layer quicker? Has anyone ever thought of that?

    --


    In college, really poor, need a flatscreen.
  3. YAY! See my journal! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    YourMissionForToday's note: On this fine Troll Tuesday, I got out of work early and on my drive home, I made up this catchy tune. It's dedicated to The_Messenger, whose unflinching vigilance against the twin demons of Cheap Software and GNU/Communism has been an inspiration to us all. Posts like this remind one that trolling is still, even in these dismal times, the most hilarious and clever activity that goes on at Slashdot.

    Now let us raise our voices in song as we dedicate this day to a trolling legend. Mr. The_Messenger, we salute you!

    Happy Troll Tuesday!

    Posting The First aka YourMissionForToday theme song

    To the Tune of Henry The Eighth (Herman's Hermits)

    I'm posting the first I am
    Posting the first I am I am
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    Usin' words like VAXen and GNU (FUCK GNU!)
    Cause they hate to stop their circle jerks
    To hear me say FUCK YOU! (FUCK GNU!)

    Second Verse is Different than the first:

    I'm YourMissionForToday I am
    Two posts a day is where I stand
    Can't leave my wit at a high threshold
    Cause I post links to a certain hole

    I get modded down due to jealousy (JEALOUSY!)
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    I'm YourMissionForToday I am!