DNA Programming

Discussion in 'Human Science' started by Xelios, Jan 24, 2008.

  1. Xelios We're setting you adrift idiot Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,447
    Just came across this on /.
    http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/01/synthetic_genome

    What do you think about this? Are we getting close to being able to program life through DNA like we would program a computer through binary code? This could have all sorts of applications. Almost makes me want to study biology (almost...)
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    I think we are on a true path to programming cells, but the fear here is that this technology not harm humans.
     
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    I think the fear is that it does harm humans... actually.. lol :scratchin:
     
  6. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    well oopsy doopsy me

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

     
  8. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!



    It's interesting though..
     
  9. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    no I am not leaning towards wish of human extermination.
     
  10. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!


    Any plans ?
     
  11. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    We are a very, very long way from programming life. DNA isn't a blueprint for the finished organism. However, there are other uses for DNA, such as tiny molecular machines.
     
  12. Enmos Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    43,184
    I think they will play with existing genes first, like they do now actually but more profound..
     
  13. Xelios We're setting you adrift idiot Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,447
    I like to think of DNA as life. A self evolving, self replicating system of storing information. Everything else is just a form of life; bacteria, plants, animals, insects, even cells. Different programs running on the same basic code. I worded it a bit funny in my first post.

    But yes, organic machines based on DNA is what I was asking about. Simple things at first, but if we could program a cell (which is really just an organic machine) through DNA to do specific tasks we'd be taking a huge step forward, and I couldn't imagine all the uses for such a thing. Of course, there's a lot of danger involved too. DNA mutates, and the potential for abuse of technology like this is huge.
     
  14. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Let me qualify that. We are just around the corner from creating the first synthetic organism, but still far from engineering complex multicellular life forms that can function in a natural environment. The first synthetic life will be a bacterium or something, probably copied from a natural one.
     
  15. Jozen-Bo The Wheel Spinning King!!! Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,597
    "I like to think of DNA as life. A self evolving, self replicating system of storing information. Everything else is just a form of life; bacteria, plants, animals, insects, even cells. Different programs running on the same basic code. I worded it a bit funny in my first post."

    Xelios nice description. But if life is a self evolving, self replicating system of storing information (well said), then would life begin even prior to the formation of DNA?

    Genetically grown organic machine? Programed by gene-splicing and manipulation? Could be good or bad. What if a new sequence was introduced that allowed or altered DNA life-form to control its own mutation? Could an army be built like in star wars? Could be powerful medicine or a deadly weapon. Depends on how its handled.
     
  16. Itseemstome Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    103
    Two points.

    First, we all know that genetics controls many, if not all, things in live organisms, but have we any idea how?

    Secondly, surely DNA is nothing other than a 5 digit computer code. Wonder who wrote it?
     
  17. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Nature wrote it.
     
  18. Itseemstome Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    103
    Hmm. I seem to recall that one of the Watson/Crick duo worked out that the chances of this being accidental were something like 340 trillion to 1. I don't, of course, know what assumptions he used to arrive at this figure.
     

Share This Page