Researcher Develope Genetically Modified plant with Rabbit DNA that cleans indoor air

Researchers have Genetically Modified (GM) a common indoor plant, golden pothos or Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), to remove pollutants inside the house.  It has been modified to produce a liver enzyme called cytochrome p450 2e1, which is taken from rabbits, that breaks down a wide range of pollutants.

The researchers put the modified plant and normal pothos ivy in glass tubes and added either benzene or chloroform gas into each tube. They found that the concentration of either gas did not change for normal plants. However, for the modified plants, the concentration of chloroform dropped by 82%, and it was almost undetectable by day six.

The researchers say these chemicals end up in household air as a result of everyday activities, with chloroform released from chlorinated water during showering, and benzene from sources including outside air and smoking.

The team propose that the plants could be enclosed in a “bio-filter”, with air forced through the device by a fan. “If you just have one of these plants sitting over in the corner, it is not going to have enough contact with the home air to do any good,” said Strand, adding the device would look a bit like a miniature greenhouse, about the size of a sash window, and would need about 5-10kg of plants to clean the home’s air.