THCA Synthase YEAST!!!

Finals are finally over!

The prohibition of alcohol is an impossible task because yeast catalyses the synthesis of alcohol. Basically anyone so motivated can, with a little knowledge, ferment their own beverages.

According to this article, http://www.nisr.or.jp/englishHP/report2004/NISR04taura.pdf:

Through simple genetic manipulation a Japanese scientist has coaxed tobacco plant and yeast cultures to express a “THCA synthase enzyme.” THCA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is decarboxylated upon heating into the primary psychoactive molecule of cannabis, THC.

If such GM yeast cultures were robust enough and became available through the bio-tech industry to non-industry enthusiasts, it could in theory make the production of an illicit narcotic (THC) about as easy as making moonshine. (One other vital component is missing: a gene sequence for the synthesis of cannabigerolic acid.)

My question: what government agency should be appointed the task of overseeing GM organisms so things like this don’t become publicly accessible? Can the civilian authorities control GM yeast once the “genie is out of the bottle?” The patent itself explains in detail how the THCA synthase expression factor was spliced into a substrate organism, the mechanics of which are not beyond UCA biology dept.’s capabilities.

Currently it is possible to order GM organisms that express desired gene sequences over the internet. Although the criteria I have outlined for one such species is specific, and assuming some initial high cost, self-sustaining cultures could replicate at little or no cost indefinitely.


Directions:
Take 2 liters of water, boil and saturate with cane sugar until no more sugar dissolves. Place saturated sugar solution into 2 L clean plastic milk jugs or water jugs. Add THCA synthase expressing yeast. Be sure to allow for release of CO2. Wait one week. Add more sugar and yeast as needed.