Marine Microbes & Considerations for their Release as Genetically Engineered Organisms

General microbial processes such as cell-cell interactions and biogeochemical cycling help shape coastal ocean ecosystems. Microbes are also useful tools in bioremediation, disease prevention, fuel generation, and environmental engineering. Therefore, genetic manipulation of such microbes and their various applications in the Ocean can be beneficial to humans but many unknowns remain. This lecture focuses on the potential impacts of releasing genetically engineered bacteria into the Ocean and highlights several potential risks and knowledge gaps.

Impact/Purpose

This is a lecture for students in "Coastal Ecology and Research Management" at Oregon State University. The purpose is to teach (1) microbial processes that help shape coastal ecosystems, (2) how microbes and the processes are of interest / use for humans, and (3) how these interests are managed. The intended impact would be for the students to use this newly acquired knowledge in their future scientific (or other) career pursuits. The described EPA project within this presentation is to identify pros and cons, and knowledge gaps, when considering the release of genetically engineered bacteria in the Ocean. 

Citation

Guillemette, R. Marine Microbes & Considerations for their Release as Genetically Engineered Organisms. Lecture in course at Hatfield Marine Science Center "Coastal Ecology & Resource Management", Newport, OR, October 12, 2022.