Scientists make "Artificial Life" !

[Spirit]

Saw this on the news earlier.............is it a step too far ? Discuss.......

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10132762.stm

[gallvr4]

wrong wrong wrong wrong.............and wrong.
just leave things alone....!!!!

[pedro]

So, is this the same as cloning?

[elnevio]

Brad can build himself the perfect girlfriend! :love: :D

[Spirit]

So, is this the same as cloning?

No, it's completely computer made......I heard they "emailed" the million letter long DNA string to the cell......and now it reproduces on it's own

[pedro]

Aboo could build himself another tow eye cover!!!

[pedro]

No, it's completely computer made......I heard they "emailed" the million letter long DNA string to the cell......and now it reproduces on it's own

Surley cells have a habit of evolving??
What precautions are in place to stop any misshaps?

[aboo]

It might take over the whole car & start driving its self. I cant have that.

If it was to put fuel in the tank then I'd be happy./yes

[Kieran]

I think this has great potential. I guess the actual cell is just another form of computer, and the scientific, health and environmental benefits could be huge.

However, computers do not reproduce.

However (as I adjust my position on the fence), is this another form (in one way or another) of genetic modification?

I shall watch with interest.

[gallvr4]

[QUOTE=aboo]It might take over the whole car & start driving its self.


sure any improvement is good....!!!!:bananadan :bananadan :bananadan

[Nick Mann]

It doesn't seem like a step too far. Whether it will be used in bad ways is more the worrying question. But then every significant development in our history has been abused to some extent.

[Spirit]

A bit more info:

"In the research, published in the journal Science, Dr Venter's team made a synthetic copy of the genome of a bacterium, Mycoplasma mycoides. Several inert DNA “watermarks” were added, including the researchers’ names in code, to distinguish the synthetic genome from the natural version.

The man-made genome was then transplanted into a related bacterium, Mycoplasma capricolum. This “rebooted” the cell so that it was controlled by the synthetic genome, transforming it into another species.

The cell has since divided more than a billion times. "

[aboo]

[QUOTE=aboo]It might take over the whole car & start driving its self.


sure any improvement is good....!!!!:bananadan :bananadan :bananadan
You cheeky bugger/yes

[martin_y]

I guess the worry is it could be used for chemical weapons.

But the potential benefits are massive!

[Turbo_Steve]

just leave things alone....!!!!

Can't say I agree with that.

I know at least two people undergoing cutting edge gene-therapy treatments for cancer who would be in the ground now if it wasn't for their pioneering oncologist and the cunning new treatment that has been engineered.


Human beings are already full of life forms - if you offered me a bacteria that would live in my childs blood stream and ensure they remained free of cancer and heart disease until they were 80 I would struggle to say no.

The natural fear is, however, that we're playing with something we don't fully understand. The only way to find out how it works is to play with it - and that can have consequences - worst case scenario is an awful lot of people die.

But then it's pushing the species forward - and nature thinks life is cheap.

[martin_y]

Geez, I think its brilliant, where do we buy shares !! ?

[chris g]

It's getting a bacteria to replicate as basic cells using man-made chromosomes from another bacteria

Has potential for working with algae for power supplies, maybe climate problems...?

Not wrong at all unless you have particular beliefs and debating them could then see this thread could go terribly pear-shaped

[martin_y]

Ha ha, Chris, yes - I think everyone is tiptoe-ing around the potential for "pear-shaped-ness" of the topic!

[HJM]

I thought basic artificial life had been driving Scoobies for years ??? :)

[martin_y]

ah, thats " Low life" !

[Kieran]

I think we can debate without pear-shapedness, provided everyone remembers to put their opinion across with tact and being mindful that someone else may find their viewpoint abhorrent. And to respect other people's views, even if they disagree. Sure - sometimes it gets all wrong, but then that's what Nev's mower is for! :D

That said - I do appreciate the fact that we've debated this point without wandering into the choppy waters of personal beliefs. /yes