2015. Homeless eat garbage. An elegant solution to two thorny problems,
made possible by genetic engineering and the human genome project. The
gut of the indigent has been adapted to contain numerous pockets of
symbiotic bacteria that break down the "inedibles" — so in effect, bums
feed a biochemical zoo in their guts, which releases nutrients in
gratitude. This is similar to the biochemistry of deep-sea vent
tubeworms, which was where the doctors got the idea.