"Shining a Light on the Rise of Glow-in-the-Dark Houseplants"
Light Bio, a biotech company, has developed genetically modified petunias that glow brightly throughout their entire life cycle. The plants utilize a fungal bioluminescence pathway, which integrates with the plant's metabolic system to produce light. While concerns about potential environmental risks have been raised, the USDA has determined that the petunias are unlikely to create pest or disease problems and can be safely grown outside of a lab setting. Light Bio plans to release the plants for sale next spring, with over 10,000 people already on the waiting list. The development of these glow-in-the-dark houseplants has sparked interest and excitement among the public and experts in the field of biotechnology.