Science fiction is already there. It is in any case in the laboratory, before possibly spreading in our streets, in our parks and in nature. At the Zhongguancun forum, Chinese scientists unveiled genetically modified plants to glow in the dark.
A bright idea to light up the night and save money
By transferring genes from fireflies and luminous mushrooms into more than twenty species of plants, researchers have managed to create something that could revolutionize many areas.
Whether orchids, sunflowers or chrysanthemums, these luminous plants could seriously shake up the tourism industry with their aesthetic appearance, but also the urban lighting sector, particularly in parks. In fact, no need for electricity here to benefit from light, only water and fertilizer.
They save energy, reduce emissions and can light up cities at night.
During the demonstration, Dr. Li Renhan, founder of biotechnology company Magicpen Bio, explained: “I was born in the countryside. At the time, my family had no money, so in the evening, I could do nothing but lie in a hammock in my grandfather’s bamboo grove to cool off. The fireflies often came to rest on my arms.“
During his studies in genome editing, he will explore whether these biological mechanisms could be transferred to plants. He adds: “We are committed to putting this technology at the service of cultural tourism and the night-time economy. Imagine a valley filled with luminous plants in the darkness: it would be like bringing the world of “Avatar” to Earth.“
Beyond the ethical question surrounding genetic modifications, it remains to be seen whether everyone would appreciate the presence of plants that are impossible to “extinguish”. Despite the announced effectiveness of this low carbon footprint system, light pollution in the city already being what it is, it is not certain that these luminous plants – already mentioned in the past via other studies – would be welcomed with open arms.
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