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I'm not sure it makes sense to say that he "discovered" the microbe.

Isn't it more like he "created" it?

I don't think he created it, he selected the best performers of an apparently existing species and bred them.

Well, right. That's how you go about creating an organism.

The fact is, there were no bacteria that did what his bacteria does (degrade plastic quickly.) Now there is, as a result of his intention and actions.

I'd call that creation.

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