Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Synthetic Life Breakthrough Expected Within Decade

jammies · 08-20-2007, 06:09 PM

I fail to see the applicability of this research to macro-world problem-solving; it would be far easier to modify existing bacteria to, for example, "eat toxic waste" as is mentioned in the article. If they are basing these creations on DNA, as it says they are, then taking lifeforms already in existence and just editing their DNA (as is already being done) can get you to the same place as building new critters from the ground up, without all the associated problems with creating your own cell membrane and the like.

However, as basic research this sounds very useful - creating life using DNA could lead to creating non-DNA based, entirely alien life after the principles are understood. That sounds like something that actually opens up new possibilities for biotechnology that we can't even conceive of today.

08-20-2007, 06:09 PM	#19
jammies Basement Chicken Choker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In a land without pants, or war, or want. But mostly we care about the pants. Exp:	I fail to see the applicability of this research to macro-world problem-solving; it would be far easier to modify existing bacteria to, for example, "eat toxic waste" as is mentioned in the article. If they are basing these creations on DNA, as it says they are, then taking lifeforms already in existence and just editing their DNA (as is already being done) can get you to the same place as building new critters from the ground up, without all the associated problems with creating your own cell membrane and the like. However, as basic research this sounds very useful - creating life using DNA could lead to creating non-DNA based, entirely alien life after the principles are understood. That sounds like something that actually opens up new possibilities for biotechnology that we can't even conceive of today.