How Close Are We to Harnessing Synthetic Life?

Started by Unbeliever, October 09, 2019, 02:13:45 PM

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Unbeliever


It won't be long before humans will be in charge of evolution, rather than natural selection. Biotechnology may be the science that will change everything. But I doubt we can control this potential monster we're about to create. Too much knowledge doesn't play well with too little wisdom.

QuoteScientists have made major strides when it comes to understanding the base code that underlies all living thingsâ€"but what if we could program living cells like software?

The principle behind synthetic biology, the emerging study of building living systems, lies in this ability to synthesize life. An ability to create animal products, individualized medical therapies, and even transplantable organs, all starting with synthetic DNA and cells in a lab.

There are two main schools of thought when it comes to synthesizing life: building artificial cells from the bottom-up or engineering microorganisms so significantly that it resynthesizes and redesigns the genome.

With genetic engineering tools becoming more and more accessible, researchers want to use these synthesized genomes to enhance human health with regards to things like detecting infections or environmental pollutants. Bacterial cells can be engineered that will detect toxic chemicals.

And these synthesized bacteria could potentially protect us from, for example, consuming toxins in contaminated water.

The world of synthetic biology goes beyond human health though, it can be used in a variety of industries, including fashion. Researchers hope to come up with lab-made versions of materials like leather or silk.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GGi24rMO2Y
God Not Found
"There is a sucker born-again every minute." - C. Spellman

PopeyesPappy

#1
Yep. Synthetic biology has the potential to eliminate birth defects, cure disease, feed us, cloth us, produce renewable energy, and clean up the environment. It can also give us Gattaca, Khan Noonien Singh, or just erase us altogether. My money is on at some point during the former we get at least some of the later.
Save a life. Adopt a Greyhound.

drunkenshoe

It's amazing. We won't be around, though not sure if that's so bad... The future generations will think 'how did they live like this, without any engineered support or switch in their bodies...ow',lol. Gattaca is close eh.
"science is not about building a body of known 'facts'. ıt is a method for asking awkward questions and subjecting them to a reality-check, thus avoiding the human tendency to believe whatever makes us feel good." - tp

Baruch

Quote from: drunkenshoe on October 10, 2019, 10:01:18 AM
It's amazing. We won't be around, though not sure if that's so bad... The future generations will think 'how did they live like this, without any engineered support or switch in their bodies...ow',lol. Gattaca is close eh.

Progressives … Hitler and Stalin and Mao were Progressives.  Marx believed with steam engine technology we could have a free lunch.

And to  believe, for even a second, in the wisdom of humanity, or some cadre of humanity (eh comrades) … is moronic behavior.

And yes, an Earth with no humans on it, isn't necessarily a bad thing.  But who will feed my cats?
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.

Baruch

"New Vaccines Are In Our Future That Will "Literally Change Your DNA"" ... more bioweapon experimentation.  It has been theorized for decades, to use an artificial virus infection to change the genes of your existing genome .. it is not about effecting changes to your reproduction (eggs/sperm).  They are proposing this now.  Ultimate bioweapon, change your genes by 1% and you are a chimpanzee, not a human.
Ha’át’íísh baa naniná?
Azee’ Å,a’ish nanídį́į́h?
Táadoo ánít’iní.
What are you doing?
Are you taking any medications?
Don't do that.