Scientists Create Bacteria that Lights Up Around Landmines

[Are_grits_groceries]

A stunning 87 countries around the world are still littered with undetonated landmines, and their impact is devastating. Tens of thousands of people are killed or injured by mines every year, and they pose a grave threat to ecosystems and wildlife. But an unexpected solution may be on the way--scientists have developed a special kind of bacteria that actually begins to glow in the presence of landmines.

It seems like something straight out of a science fiction film, but this new bacteria is very real. According to the BBC, the "scientists produced the bacteria using a new technique called BioBricking, which manipulates packages of DNA." The bacteria is then mixed into a colorless solution, "which forms green patches when sprayed onto ground where mines are buried." The bacterial stew can also be dropped via airplane in extremely sensitive areas.

Then, only a few hours after it's sprayed or dropped, the bacteria begins to glow green if it's next to an undetonated explosive. This, of course, would be an invaluable asset in the ongoing quest to rid nations like Somalia, Bosnia, and Cambodia of their atrocious, deadly minefields.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/scientists-create-bacteria-glows-landmines.php

This could have huge implications. I hope it does work well in the field. It could save many lives and limbs of humans and animals.
The article doesn't explain why. I assume the genetic manipulation cause the bacteria to react to something associated with mines.

[hippywife]

1. While this sounds good on the surface of things,

and it would be wonderful to clean every one of those things up, I fear for the unintended consequences of releasing a genetically engineered bacteria into the environment.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. There are always unintended consequences.

I would hope that they would limit its use until they saw its actions over the long term. Having said that, I would have to weigh the horrible conditions people live under where these mines are located against any ultimate problem.

Unintended consequences with a lot of actions all around.