Living without Food

In an attempt to address the nutritional needs of potentially billions of people, a software engineer, originally trying to further simplify a raman noodle meal, developed a powdered food product.

Just like BioCurious who wants to create a Glow-In-The-Dark plant, Rob Rhinehart resorted to crowdsourcing for funding. Where BioCurious needed $65,000 and raised over $480,000, Rob needed $100,000 and got over $750,000. (See Genetic Modification Gone Haywire)

Rhinehart said it only took a bit of research and elementary chemistry to create the first batch of the mixture, which he has tweaked over time. He has been living exclusively on Soylent for about five months now and said he has never felt better in his life. His bloodwork is excellent, he is maintaining a healthy weight for his height, and he has plenty of energy. He even runs frequently.

A recent report estimates that over 50% of the world’s food goes to waste, so this may offer hope. The current Soylent V.8 ingredient list can be found HERE.

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Genetic Modification Gone Haywire

No matter what your perspective is with regards to genetically modifying nature, you have to admit there are probably going to be some unintended consequences. After all, future generations of species get a somewhat modified version of their parents genes to start with. If their parents have genes that are from another species entirely, what outcome might we expect?

Anyway, a company called BioCurious decided it would be a good idea to create a Glow-In-The-Dark plant. A little short on funds, they resorted to crowdsourcing. Posting a need on KickStarter for funding, they raised over $480,000, when they apparently were going for $65,000.

“The group had hit upon a new method for funding biotech, one that’s faster, cheaper and requires less expertise than traditional grants or venture capital.”

As technology develops, as it does, this type of activity would become easier and cheaper to do in the future. Do we really want to open up Pandora’s door of genetically modified species to anyone that “has a good idea”?

Fortunately the ETC Group formally petitioned the USDA and Kickstarter to stop the program in its tracks. That, of course, would not prevent BioCurious from going outside the country to manipulate the genes, or stop other groups, fully funded to pursue the activity.