Yeah, I really look forward to seeing more research on the ability of these PETase genes to spread. The article touched on it briefly, but it’d be great to have more insight on how much of this is due to HGT vs. something likely to originate de novo across species.

> That makes me wonder if we'll soon see mammals with gut microbiomes that can digest microplastics.

On a less serious note, my cat is deadset on this accomplishment.

Makes me wonder if we're building towards another extinction/oxygen catastrophe type of event. Not one where the microplastics themselves are the primary driver, but because microplastics are not renewable in the environment without humans. With solar energy transitions, greater pollution awareness, and a population that's shrinking or leveling off, what will happen to all of the microorganisms which spent a great deal of energy evolving ways to metabolize plastics that suddenly lose that source of energy? They're suddenly less fit for their niche.

Or in a different area of concern, what happens to the plastic economy when plastics are no longer useful because they'll be decomposed too quickly? Sanitary packaging for medical supplies come to mind.

It might be a bad idea to digest plastics. If they get broken down in the gut, they'll release all those plasticisers and things into the body.

Protect your plastics with aluminum foil

Yup. In most cases, not a big deal. Plumbing, however, is going to be a nightmare.

We already have radiotrophic fungus, found near Chernobyl. Interestingly they appear to use melanin to absorb and utilise energy from the radiation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotrophic_fungus