For the development of a human photosynthesis gene

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euglena

If not humans, can we make a master-race of livestock that subsist on water and CO2? Or even introduce genetically-modified insects into the world which will drive their non-photosynthesising forerunners to extinction? We've fucked with this planet so hard, only an equal and opposite fucking-with will solve anything now. Whoever has to take the hit, more photosynthesising is necessary.

There's a novel by Geoff Ryman where this happens, The Child Garden.

Is it any good, or is it just science fiction? :(

There was a kid's book about this, too:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0316303631/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced, funny book!, November 3, 2004
By Molly Grue "Renaissance Woman" (SF Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Top Secret (Hardcover)
When Allen Brewster, a fourth grader, decides to discover human photosynthesis for his school science project, his irritable teacher, Miss Green, calls his idea ridiculous and assigns a lipstick project instead. His parents are kind but unsupportive, but Allen is undeterred, especially when his tender and wise grandfather encourages him to pursue his research. Allen discovers that the biggest difference between hemoglobin and chlorophyll is that the former contains iron while the latter contains magnesium, so he decides to ingest foods that contain high levels of magnesium. He mixes salt water from an aquarium with peanut butter, Coco-Puffs, raw liver, and Mexican refried beans, runs the mixture through a blender, and drinks it. (Kids, don't try this at home!) After tinkering with his formula, he discovers that his skin has turned green, his taste buds have disappeared, he doesn't need to eat, and he craves sunlight. But then Allen faces numerous new obstacles. No one but his grandfather believes that he has discovered human photosynthesis. He gets aphids and starts sprouting roots. His crabby teacher ejects him from class and tells him not to come back until he looks like a normal human being. And once the government confirms that Allen has succeeded in discovering human photosynthesis, his project is classified as top secret, because it is a threat to national security!

dude abbott awesome

haha now i remember isaac asimov's short story about a goose that laid golden eggs, all with a scientific explanation (it had mutated to become a nuclear reactor)

Would being able to photosynthesize rid me of having an internally regulated body temperature? Because that is a convenience I don't think I could sacrifice.