One word:

Awesome

Just think if we could create a micro-organism that could metabolize plastics, or sewage, or any number of things. Hell, think of one that could eat styrofoam and crap out crude oil.

Man, science is just fucking rockin' sometimes.

At first glance I seriously I thought that first pic was of a Metroid.

I am all for it and pro science. This advancement might be a risk but if in the right hands could be the answer to many problems. Without risk there is no great gain.
GOOOO SCIENCE!

It's about fuckin' time. For those of you who don't see the gleam on the horizon...this is the beginning of the molecular machinery that will ultimately lead to cures for thousands of diseases.

Welcome to the next wave of technology.

P.S. I, for one, welcome our new microbe overlords.

I want a custom virus that will alter my brain to make me smooth and attractive to the opposite sex.

we could create super ninja microbes that could wipe out the evil ones !!!!

kickass !

It's depressing how much cooler this story was when i was still convinced synthetic organisms had already been created.

Sounds like the organic version of nanobots (or variations thereof) that most science fiction series of standing have devoted at least one episode to. Perhaps the human race can get past mass mechanisation after all.

I look at this as a very viable source of alternative energy... Modify the little buggers to create breakdown garbage/non-recyclable waste and convert it to hydrogen. Then use said hydrogen to power everything from cars to cities to space craft. Or Helium-3, which is actually safer to use in a fusion process. I personally believe that this will be one of the single greatest advancements of the 21st century.

I also see a great potential for the production of energy and the recycling of materials, and many other potential uses, but I also see a problem: If such an organism is released into a non-controlled environment, it could break down substances that we do not want broken down and cause havok. This could be similar but not to the extent of the grey-goo scenario( It could not build substances from non-organic materials, and it would not have a means of coordination( except for possibly forming biofilms) and no "intelligence". If such an organism is used for the production of energy and the recycling of materials, it would have to be done in a controlled environment with many systems of protection. My personal views are that this endeavor into genetic engineering is good, but there are certain ethical concerns when one is dealing with life, and there is a potential disaster if this technology is misused.

This is cool. But what if someone accidentally makes it dissolve carbon or something? It could end the world...

Great story. I love future tech science stuff.
When the folks start saying we shouldn't be playing God, (and I think they will have plenty to say before we forget about this article) lets try to consider it was God who gave us the intellect and freewill to explore. Push on, great scientists. Push on.

Well, since no one has mentioned this I thought I would: there is also the possibility of it mutating and becoming resistant to any forms of control we would have over it, or it being harmful to our ecosystem. It took a long ass time for life to evolve on this planet, what makes us think we can get it right any faster.

I think the ETC group was wise to advise caution. Though I can't fault the scientists for their ambition, especially with all the tantalizing advances that could be achieved. Seems to always be a conundrum like this whenever science is on the verge of a technological breakthrough...

We already have microorganisms that digest crude. They are used in oil spills, so that part of the future is already here. As far as sewage goes, it can be digested, but the problem is getting everything oxygenated so the poor little suckers don't suffocate. Polymers like styrofoam and plastics are a tougher nut to crack, the way to handle them is recycling or the bioplastics which degrade naturally and I think are awesome. People in my field are also working on new polymers that degrade more quickly in UV light. (Ever had a nylon rope crumble in your hands from sun damage?)

Yes, science fucking rocks, ALL the time!