> It is possible to genetically engineer Streptococcus mutans, the dominant human mouth bacteria, to produce ethanol instead of cavity-causing lactic acid

I hope it's in such small quantities that it wouldn't cause any alcoholic effects?

Nonetheless, such a simple website with short and concise copy. Wasn't expecting that for a biotech startup. Hope it works, cavities suck!

>The average human digestive system produces approximately 3 g of ethanol per day through fermentation of its contents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_metabolism

The amounts produced are tiny. See the safety FAQ here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mDJCTO2QySmQOZQcajYReDCA...

It's pretty unlikely to cause an intoxicating effect: it's surrounded by the mouth, so it'll be taken up almost instantly. It never gets to accumulate, so I'd expect the impact is far less than even something like kombucha.

I wonder what the religious implications might be.

Yeah, sure. A milliliter of etanol a month versus pain and drop of quality of life. Who would choose that!

I'd be willing to give it a shot.

No I haven't been drinking boss... it's the bacteria in my mouth!

Probably not going to generate more ethanol than you already get in your morning cup of orange juice