Posted on 05/20/2010 2:52:10 PM PDT by gandalftb
Scientists in the US have succeeded in developing the first synthetic living cell. "This is the first time any synthetic DNA has been in complete control of a cell," said Dr Venter.
The researchers constructed a bacterium's "genetic software" and transplanted it into a host cell. The resulting microbe then looked and behaved like the species "dictated" by the synthetic DNA. The advance, published in Science, has been hailed as a scientific landmark, but critics say there are dangers posed by synthetic organisms.
The researchers copied an existing bacterial genome. They sequenced its genetic code and then used "synthesis machines" to chemically construct a copy. Dr Venter told BBC News: "We've now been able to take our synthetic chromosome and transplant it into a recipient cell - a different organism. "As soon as this new software goes into the cell, the cell reads [it] and converts into the species specified in that genetic code."
"These could be used in the future to make the most powerful bioweapons imaginable. The challenge is to eat the fruit without the worm."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Whomever has the antidote wins.....
There is great potential for mischief and perhaps even worse.
I guess its birth certificate was issued by the State of Hawaii?
I got a bad feeling this wont turn out to well
Nukes are the only way to be sake; we have to expand the Right to Keep and Bear Arms to allow nuclear weapons and devices so that, should any such organism escape containment, we may sterilize the Earth.
It’s the only way to be sure.
Earth Abides...
Nothing good immediately comes to mind.
Here come the zombies.
Does it?
Rev 11:16-18
Then the twenty-four elders, who were seated on thrones in God's presence, knelt down and worshiped him. They said,
"Lord God All-Powerful, you are and you were, and we thank you. You used your great power and started ruling. When the nations got angry, you became angry too! Now the time has come for the dead to be judged. It is time for you to reward your servants the prophets and all of your people who honor your name, no matter who they are. It is time to destroy everyone who has destroyed the earth."
back at you with the bible thing...
Ecclesiastes 1:4 — "Men go and come, but earth abides.
I prefer the term “artificial person...”
That left me hoping that Dr Venter will accuse Dr Wallace of playing up the potential drawbacks.
:) - Good job.
On a tangential note; one could debate whether Eccl. 1:4 is meant in a comparative sense, which the ‘but’ seems to indicate, rather than the literal sense... also, Rev. is a good book to debate about precisely because it’s the transcription of John’s vision while on Patmos and laced with metaphor/allegory as well as being prophetic-in-nature.
{I used to think I had a good handle on Revelation, but the more I read it the more “less sure” of any particular interpretation I become (pre-millennial, post-millennial, a-millennial) and the more I think “God will do what God will do” about it.}
And, likely they've already registered it as a democrat, got a social security #, etc.
God created conservatives. He farted and created liberals.
Means Jack S***. It only shows “life” results from intelligent design. But just how living it is , is questionable.
It
a) means a lot to science
b) does not at all show life came from intelligent design.
But I was sure this would draw out the bible literalists.
Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to claw the Bark of Trees; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to chase other Men; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
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