vision is to engineer bacteria that can detect problems in the body – and fix them. Imagine a strain of E. coli that senses the signature molecules produced by Salmonella, and reacts by releasing antibiotics that specifically kill this microbe. Now, in addition to being a mere reporter, it’s also a park ranger. It could prevent food poisoning by patrolling the gut, staying inert if it sees no threat, and leaping into action if Salmonella appears. You could give it to children in poor countries, who are at risk of diarrhoeal diseases. You could give it to soldiers who deploy overseas. You could
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