Green Human Project

To: Faculty and Students of Colorado Universities, Colleges, and High Schools
From: Applied Molecular Evolution, Inc.
Re: Request for Proposals for The Green Human Project: Building a Photosynthetic Human
Date: December 1, 2012

Project Objectives: We require a list of design modifications to human anatomy and physiology that would allow humans to carry out photosynthesis to convert solar energy into glucose or other energy-rich molecules.

Project Rationale: Given the current boom in the global human population, food shortages are occurring and will continue to worsen in severity as natural resources such as phosphates and nitrates are depleted.  Alternative sources of nutrition will need to be found that will be sustainable and non-polluting. Solar energy is abundant and nonpolluting, yet currently cannot be directly harvested by humans for metabolic uses. A clear need therefore exists for investigation into anatomical and physiological modifications which allow humans to use solar energy via photosynthesis for basic metabolic needs.

Design Considerations: In order to create a photosynthetic human, we will need a list of biochemical processes and their necessary cellular components that should be engineered into experimental organisms. We will also need to consider the impact that our photosynthetic humans will have upon human societies and the environment. Some of the issues that need to be addressed are as follows:

1. How will light energy be captured? How do plants capture energy and what similar sorts of components would we have to build into our “green human?”  Would photosynthetic humans have to have green skin or could they be some other color? Will additional appendages be required for additional energy-collecting surface area and if so what form should they take? If we are going to have a photosynthetic human, then it needs to have the ability to go through photosynthesis.  First, the human would have to be able to absorb light. Such as plants that use chlorophyll to absorb light. I would think the “green human” would be green because of the chlorophyll.

2. What sub-cellular structures (organelles) are required for photosynthesis and how does their structure promote the process of photosynthesis?

To make this possible we would have to change the way some cells work. Such as putting chlorophyll in cells. Without this it would be impossible to do photosynthesis. We would also need more storage space because we would be producing more. Vacuoles are where everything is stored so probably need more of these. Respiration would also have to change in the human, because we need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis to create the glucose.

3. How will the energy from energy-carrying molecules be used to create energy-storing molecules like glucose? What types of reactions do plants carry out and what are some of the enzymes that we will need to build into our photosynthetic humans?

Once the energy is created we would need somewhere to store it. Such as more vacuoles. We would probably need more metabolism enzymes. Because we would have to store more than actually using the energy.

4. How will our photosynthetic humans use the energy stores (glucose) that they produce? What are the steps in normal human aerobic respiration that allow for release of energy from glucose?

The way i think the energy will be used is the same way we humans use it now. We will still use it when its needed most.  Exercise is one way in the human aerobic respiration allows us to release energy.

5. What public safety and/or ethical issues will need to be addressed during the completion of this project?

This could be a very risky process. Not knowing what the effects will be on the human. We would also have people willing to put there life on risk in order to try this procedure.