-Caveat Lector- Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave =================== Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2000 16:29:13 From: j.e. cummins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The GM bacteria used to "purify" radioactive waste sites cause ionic mercury to be released as volatile mercury metal. Such bacteria have probably escaped into the environment to convert more ionic mercury in geologic strata. Such mercury released has begun to cause major problems in cold places like Canada, Alaska, and the northern continental states. The Arctic is facing tragic injury to the top of the food chain including people, polar bears, beluga, narwhal,walrus, etc. Those victims have begun to show birth defects and nerve damage from mercury in their only source of food. The question is" who in the hell told the US department of energy that it was O.K.? ====================== Articles Nature Biotechnology January 2000 Volume 18 Number 1 pp 85 - 90 Hassan Brim n.1, Sara C. McFarlan n.2, James K. Fredrickson n.3, Kenneth W. Minton n.1, Min Zhai n.1, Lawrence P. Wackett n.2 & Michael J. Daly n.1 1. Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814. 2. Department of Biochemistry, Biological Process Technology Institute and Center for Biodegradation Research and Informatics, Gortner Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. 3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352. Correspondence should be addressed to M J Daly. e-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED] We have developed a radiation resistant bacterium for the treatment of mixed radioactive wastes containing ionic mercury. The high cost of remediating radioactive waste sites from nuclear weapons production has stimulated the development of bioremediation strategies using Deinococcus radiodurans, the most radiation resistant organism known. As a frequent constituent of these sites is the highly toxic ionic mercury (Hg) (II), we have generated several D. radiodurans strains expressing the cloned Hg (II) resistance gene (merA) from Escherichia coli strain BL308. We designed four different expression vectors for this purpose, and compared the relative advantages of each. The strains were shown to grow in the presence of both radiation and ionic mercury at concentrations well above those found in radioactive waste sites, and to effectively reduce Hg (II) to the less toxic volatile elemental mercury. We also demonstrated that different gene clusters could be used to engineer D. radiodurans for treatment of mixed radioactive wastes by developing a strain to detoxify both mercury and toluene. These expression systems could provide models to guide future D. radiodurans engineering efforts aimed at integrating several remediation functions into a single host. ================================= *** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. *** DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
