James and the Giant Corn Genetics: Studying the Source Code of Nature

December 7, 2009

To Accomplish the Impossible

Filed under: Plants,Politics — James @ 8:52 am

Here’s an inspirational quote about science:

“It was believed impossible to create a blue rose, since roses lack the gene to produce the color blue. However, a Japanese company spent 14 years in research and finally succeeded in developing the world’s first blue rose. I explained to President Obama how this blue rose, which holds the meaning ‘to accomplish the impossible,’ was created and said, ‘Let us work together to accomplish the impossible.’”

-Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama as quoted here (and boy will I feel silly if the whole story is a hoax)

“To accomplish the impossible”. When it comes to assigning meanings to flowers (as well as picking life goals), I’d call that a pretty good one.

The blue rose was actually developed by an Australian company called Florigene which has been acquired by a Japanese company called Suntory. I went into more detail about Florigene’s products here.

2 Comments »

  1. BTW, what do you think about florigen (plant hormon)? Is it FT protein, or it is just not exist like hormone?

    Comment by Sergy — December 14, 2009 @ 12:23 am

  2. If I had to guess, I’d say it really is FT protein traveling through the plant (that fact that TFL which is a homeologous gene with a few key changes to conserved animo acids has the exact opposite effect might support it), but I don’t think we have enough evidence to really know yet.

    Comment by James — December 14, 2009 @ 12:55 am

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