Genetic modification to solve world hunger

Recently in Wired magazine, there was an article where certain scientists were able to isolate the gene that was used in plants to allow for reaction to sunlight, light sensitivity, and they were able to use this in rats to ge them to perform specific tasks. Although the task was simple, running in a clockwise circle, the reaction was nonetheless impressive.

The basis was that a gene from a plant, not present in vertebrate animals was isolated and then introduced into an animal to produce an outcome. This is very impressive and lead me to wondering, disregarding the obvious adversion to the idea and is instantly shown, would there be a way to manipulate epithelial cells to utilize photosynthesis. The process in complicated and specific, but the end result is sugars that can be utilized by the metabolic cycles to produce energy in the form of ATP for the body.

Is there a way that this could be duplicated in animals? The same process but in certain epithelial cells that would allow for direct sugars into the blood stream without the need for the breakdown of food? I know that ingestion is more important than just the need for sugars, and that sugar regulation is a problem that is faced, but the idea that a gene that would code for this would be a breakthrough. Just being able to utilize certain benefits that are not currently present in our genome.

For this I am not really asking about the ethical stances on such a thing, as I know that they would be varied and many would be invariably opposed to the thought of such an idea, but I am asking about the possibility. Any information about the possibility of genetic modification of the genome to the benefit of all.