PET Plastics Can Be Destroyed
Morgan Vague, was nominated for Time’s Person of the Year in 2019. Interested in microbiome, Vague discovered an enzyme that breaks down plastic. She perused her theory; The ability for bacteria to come up with food sources may have evolved to include plastic. Morgan, was right. This Texas native, was able to successfully isolate three strains of bacteria that consume polyethylene terephthalate better known as PET. The bacteria broke PET down into by-products that are harmless to humans and the environment. PET is one of the most commonly used plastics for consumer goods. PET is manufactured into bottles, clothing, plastic bags, and food packaging. This is an amazing discovery and goes a long way in protecting our environment. Astounding thing is she discovered this back in 2017
Times discovered Morgan in 2018. Times Magazine is distributed in every major city. you can buy the Times at any grocery or convenient store. Times digital reach is even larger. Every week 20 million individuals tune to time.com for coverage. You can pay 19.99USD for a yearly digital subscription or 2.99USD per month.
She was able to successfully isolate three strains of bacteria that break down and consume PET plastic.
Discovering bacteria eating plastic didn’t win her the honor of the Time’s cover.
It is puzzling. Despite Time Magazine, Morgan hasn’t skipped a beat. As a Biologist she worked towards a large carbon system. Using her discovery this system would be designed to “eat” plastic on an industrial scale. The system would have a great impact on Americas plastic waste problem. Garbage floats in our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch a.k.a “The Garbage Patch” is our closest concern. This area spans form the West Coast of the Unites States to Japan. For scale, the garbage patch is more than twice the size of Texas.
2021 Where is Morgan vague now?
There have been many opportunities for Morgan after leaving Reed College. She is a Biologist who made a monumental discovery. She has spoke across the U.S. and around the world as an advocate for plastic solutions as a world conservationist. She is clever and resourceful. Now with an opportunity to make a real impact on the world.
Morgan Vague currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. She has combined her love of scientific research with her passion for healthcare applications. In my personal option, it is not where I want her to be. Finland is the leader in cancer research. Her brilliant mind should be with others like hers. She is a bright and accomplished young lady and clearly has a passion to help the planet.
I hope that not winning the Time Magazine honor in 2019 didn’t influence her.
Her cause isn’t as flashy or note worthy as politics, economics, or diplomacy but, it has far greater practicality. After-all she discovered bacteria eating plastic, (THAT IS HUGE) And it can save more life than politics, economics, diplomacy , or stage one cancer research trials (current role.)
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water.
Albatross
The marine debris of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch can devastate marine life in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. The stomach contents of this unfortunate albatross include plastic marine debris fed to the chick by its parents.
– Photograph by Chris Jordan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
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