At first, the genetically transformed plants produced only minute granules of this valuable plastic. However, after a few years of tinkering, researchers inserted modified genetic constructs into the plants and could increase production enough to attract considerable commercial interest. No one is suggesting that tiny Arabidopsis plants be developed as a commercial crop for plastics production, but whatever is learned from the Arabidopsis model can be used with other, more practical, crops, such as canola or soybean. We will create a whole new paradigm for the plastics industry. Somerville adds that the production of plastics in plants will have the added benefit of giving farmers new markets for their harvests.
American agriculture produces too much of too few products.
What's more, he suggests that plastics are just the beginning, and that croplands of genetically transformed plants may be devoted to the production of, for example, hydraulic oils, lubricants, nylons, drugs, and valuable enzymes.