Photosynthesising human?

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by shirley, Jul 13, 2007.

  1. shirley

    shirley Member

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    Do you think scientists will ever genetically twist a human or other animal into photosynthesising so that they could make their own glucose?

    Maybe having chloroplasts in your hair or something? Although maybe not cause hair isn't near a blood vessel for transportation.

    I know you wouldn't get a lot of energy however it was done, but it could be good if there was no food avaliable i don't know what i'm talking about... Is there any way that it could ever work?
     
  2. fat_tony

    fat_tony Member

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    Photosynthesis is an incredibly inefficient process. This is presumably one of the reasons that plants have never become particularly mobile. I guess its not inconceivable that an animal could photosynthesise but it would not be able to supply a substantial part of their energy needs. Even plants respirate as well.
     
  3. shirley

    shirley Member

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    Yeah and you would need a large surface area
     
  4. aspirine

    aspirine Member

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    Hybrid humans
     
  5. ~peace~

    ~peace~ Senior Member

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    I don't think it would work because of
    1. how inefficient it is
    2. and how photosynthesis releases oxygen and take in carbon dioxide so therefore out lungs would be either a) rendered obsolete or b) we would have to develop a mechanism of getting rid of oxygen or a system of getting it into the blood.

    Though it would be quite cool if we didn't have to breath anymore and had a constant supply of ready made energy.
     
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