An American company is now selling a genetically modified plant that glows at night. During the day, the flowers of the garden petunia are inconspicuous, but when it gets dark they shimmer in soft green.
The plant, called the firefly petunia by its inventors, is available for $29 (the equivalent of about 27 euros) plus shipping costs, but will not be delivered until spring, as the Idaho company Light Bio promises.
Fungal genes cause bioluminescence
“The calming light is created from living energy and cultivates a deeper connection with the inner workings of the plant,” explains Bio Light. The invention is based on the introduction of genes from a glowing fungus with the scientific Neonothopanus nambi into the genome of the petunia.
No special light or fertilizer is needed to make the plant bioluminescent. The firefly petunia was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in September and, according to the manufacturer, glows brighter with proper care and sufficient sunlight.
Lights do not disturb you while sleeping at night
According to the scientific journal “Nature”, it is not bright enough to disturb your sleep at night. This type of petunia was chosen because it is widespread as an ornamental plant in the United States, but is not truly native and is not considered an invasive species.
According to the USDA, the risk of the modified genes spreading to native plants is correspondingly small. Even though there is great skepticism among parts of the population about genetic manipulation, experts do not see any safety problems with the plant, according to ‘Nature’.
Genetic engineering already changes the genome of organisms in many areas of life, for example in agriculture. It involves techniques for altering the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes between species to create improved or new organisms. New DNA is obtained by isolating and copying the genetic material, or by artificial synthesis.
Source: Krone
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