The Human Chloroplast Project aims to address world hunger by implanting chloroplasts into individuals, allowing them to photosynthesize and produce their own glucose from sunlight. The chloroplasts would be concentrated into a microchip implanted in the hand or forearm. This would initially involve implanting the microchip, and could later involve transgenic insertion of the chloroplast gene. Potential issues include cultural sensitivity, affordability, and ensuring proper nutrition and vitamins. The goal is to help alleviate global hunger by reducing reliance on food production.

1. HC 177: Biotechnology & Art
The Human Chloroplast Project
Caryn Brenn
Physiological Science Major

2. Abstract
The Human Chloroplast Project takes the properties of
photosynthesis used by plants and places them into individuals.
The project allows humans to make their own food (glucose) using
energy from the sun and carbon dioxide waste. Chloroplasts will
be concentrated into a microchip and implanted into an
individuals’ hand. The glucose will be transported into the blood
and used to make energy via metabolic respiration. The goal of
the project is not only create a work of bioart but also to help
alleviate the global problem of hunger and starvation. The future of
this project holds promise of transgenic insertion. Possible
complications include cultural sensitivity, affordability, and issues
of vitamins and nutrition.

3. World Hunger
Everyday, all around the world people are dying from
hunger. To be more precise, every 3.6 seconds someone
dies of hunger. The World Health Organization estimates that
one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is under-fed one-
third is starving. While it is often assume that starvation is only
occurring in under-developed countries, it is the unfortunate
truth that it is happening here is the US as well. One out of
every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S.
goes to bed hungry every night.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds that are rich in
starch and make up a essential part of the human diet. This
includes cereals, bread, pasta, and simple sugars. During
digestion, carbohydrates that we consume are broken down
into monosaccharides, such as glucose, and are used by our
cells for energy production.

4. Chloroplasts and Photosynthesis
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that carry out
photosynthesis. They use energy from the sun to convert
carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Photosynthesis
Humans use cellular respiration, converting monosaccharides
and oxygen into energy and carbon dioxide waste.
Respiration

5. The Human Chloroplast Project
My project will take chloroplasts from
plants, concentrate them into a microchip, and
implant them into individuals. Individuals will then be
able to carry out both photosynthesis and cellular
respiration on their own, essentially creating their
own food.
+

6. The Human Chloroplast Project
The chloroplasts will be
hooked up to the portal
system, removing carbon
dioxide and water from the
blood and adding oxygen and
glucose. Ideally, the chip
would be placed. near the
lungs where carbon dioxide is
exchanged for oxygen.
However, in order to reduce
invasiveness and make
exposure to light easier, the
chip will be placed in the hand
or forearm of the individual.

7. The Human Chloroplast Project
The project will initially involve implantation of a microchip and
if success could evolve into a transgenic implantation. The
chloroplast gene will be inserted into the DNA of specific
cells, not the whole individual (we don’t want green humans!!).
Transgenic cells will be located in an area that can be easily
exposed to light. Transgenic mutation would also be more
efficient in that the chloroplasts would be located within the
cells, spatially near the mitochondria.

8. Conclusion
The Human Chloroplast Project will implant chloroplasts into
humans allowing them to create their own glucose using
sunlight and hopefully reducing hunger across the world. This
project will impact the food industry by reducing demand for
grains and carbohydrates and increasing demands and
allowing for more resources to be focused on production of
produce and meats.
Possible Complications
-Cultural Sensitivity
-Affordability
-Nutrition, Vitamins

9. References
 Eduardo Kac, GFP Bunny
 KAC. Eduardo Kac. Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.ekac.org/>.
 Laura Cinti, Cactus Hair
 "C-lab | THE CACTUS PROJECT." C-lab | INTO THE LABS.
Web. 12 Feb. 2010. <http://c-
lab.co.uk/default.aspx?id=9&projectid=2>.
 Outlaw Biology, UCLA
 OUTLAW BIOLOGY? Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
<http://outlawbiology.net/>.

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