A post in progress: The glowing plant debate

In the BIOT 307 Biotechnology and Society online course, we are studying the science and controversy about GMOs or genetically modified organisms. An example is the Glowing Plant project, funded by Kickstarter, that is genetically engineering the thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana by introducing firefly bioluminescence genes into the Arabidopsis plant DNA. Arabidopsis is a small flowering plant related to mustard and cabbage.

The Glowing Plant Kickstarter campaign video explains the value of its project and how glowing plants get made. 




This project has sparked controversy about GMOs or genetically modified organisms, in particular because the Glowing Plant project will distribute to the public the seed for these genetically engineered plants

The Kickstarter Glowing Plants project sparks debate over release of #GMOs http://t.co/YTDz85NpV8 via @NatureNews
— Ken Kubo (@kmkubo) June 5, 2013

Glowing Plant #Kickstarter project creates hysteria among anti-synthetic biology campaigners http://t.co/DRPeJR7cYi via @GeneticLiteracy
— Ken Kubo (@kmkubo) July 7, 2013

As a result, Kickstarter revised its guidelines to prohibit GMOs.

Projects cannot offer genetically modified organisms as a reward. (Updated 7/31/2013)

RT @iGEMLeicester: Kickstarter bans project creators from giving away genetically-modified organisms http://t.co/G5XvLhIOE9 via @verge
— MicrobiologyBytes (@MicroBytes) September 2, 2013

Anthony Evans, who directs the Glowing Plant project, also offered his perspective on the Kickstarter GMO ban.

Glowing Plants: Anthony Evans on #Kickstarter response to why there's a #GMO ban http://t.co/LnTRICTW1z cc @nvbiotech
— Ken Kubo (@kmkubo) August 10, 2013

This past week the Washington Post published another article on the Kickstarter Glowing Plant debate.

Glowing plant project on Kickstarter sparks debate about regulation of DNA modification http://t.co/hCObOk9Rgf via @washingtonpost
— Pamela Marrone (@pammarrone) October 4, 2013

How we make a recreational GMO: http://t.co/VyMrXV7JV9 via @washingtonpost
— Antony Evans (@glowingplant) October 5, 2013

So what do you think? Should the Glowing Plant project be allowed to sell its genetically engineered plants to the public?


The BIOT 307 Biotechnology and Society students will give their perspectives on this issue, and I will post some of their responses here (to be continued)...