By splicing genes from a bioluminescent bacteria with a common decorative plant called Nicotiana alata, engineers have created the first biological light source for your home. This is the first glimpse of a future world where synthetic biology transforms our lives.


Called the Starlight Avatar, this plant is being touted by company Bioglow, which created it, as the "first" light-producing plant. There are many kinds of algae and animals that glow, but this claim may be technically true. The company is auctioning off the first set of grown plants, and taking pre-orders for ones that they grow later this year.

The plants don't give off very much light, but they are just the forerunners of other GMO species that could be used to make our living spaces more sustainable and beautiful. I love the idea that future city inhabitants might be farming their lights instead of changing light bulbs.


Spotted on Inhabitat