Article Reflection No. 7 (5/1/2022)

Article #7: Mutant enzyme recycles plastic

Reflection:

Photo Credit: Anthropocene Magazine

In the article “Mutant enzyme recycles plastic”, the author highlights the impact of plastic on the environment, and proceeds by introducing a relatively-new discovery from Carbio: an enzyme that breaks down polyethylene terephthalate, a common ingredient in plastic. By recycling PET, new cans and bottles can be made, resulting in less harmful waste. According to the young writer, this discovery’s potential has proven itself through experimenting, where “ ‘Two hundred grams of PET were reduced by “90% to their original chemical building blocks in just 10 hours’ ” (Author 1).

It comforts me to read and hear about organizations that dedicate their time for a good cause. As an individual who is passionate about the environment and the ways to conserve it, this article broadened my knowledge of what is possible. Interestingly, it also reflects on how innovative, advancing technology is, in fact, beneficial to humanity’s needs. In my ELA class, we (students) were assigned multiple stories by Ray Bradbury, in which technological advancements became deceitful, cunning weapons that eventually led to murder among humankind. After reading these stories, my perspective on technology’s innovations had shifted closer to aversity. However, this article has shifted my view of technology to a more positive one, by which I have also been reminded of the medical advancements that tech has granted our world today. After all, technology is the reason for the presence of millions of loved ones.

(Note: The author’s name was not mentioned, so I wrote “author” for his/her last name instead.)