Created yeasts that synthesize morphine from glucose

Ordinary home brewery can be adapted for cooking morphine

Every year, thousands of participants from around the world take part in a competition in synthetic biology, which is organized by the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM).

Last November, a dubious story surfaced in the competition, spawning a discussion about security risks. FBI Special Agent Edward You (Edward You) presented a report on the use of genetically modified yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) for the production of morphine from glucose. He did not provide details on how to specifically make such a fungus and how to use it, but to date, several scientific works have been published, where the whole process is explained in detail. The hypothetical scenario of Edward Yu came to life.

Experts fear that the new discovery will lead to an increase in the production of morphine throughout the world, and this is a very dangerous drug. At the same time, it is used in medicine as an analgesic.
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All stages of the transformation of glucose into morphine are shown in the illustration (clickable).



In principle, any person with the presence of yeast and basic skills of the fermentation process is able to start the production of morphine-containing products on home equipment, such as the brewery in the first photo.

Apparently, synthetic morphine may even be cheaper than natural (the cost of anesthetic in concentrate is now $ 300-500 per kilogram). At this time, morphine is made from poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum), and the new method promises a cheaper and more effective method. If the calculations of scientists are fair, then this will lead to a significant increase in the spread of opiates.

Synthetic morphine - only the first swallow. Experts say that further new methods for the synthesis of other dangerous substances will probably come.

The community of researchers in the field of synthetic biology is faced with a dilemma: how to conduct new research, but do not harm humanity, inventing new GMOs that can potentially be used for harmful purposes.

Now all over the world, more than 16 million people are taking opiates illegally, so that new synthesis methods can be used by criminal syndicates to work with this audience.