Synthetic DNA on the Brink of Yielding New Life Forms

Moridin

It has been 50 years since scientists first created DNA in a test tube, stitching ordinary chemical ingredients together to make life's most extraordinary molecule. Until recently, however, even the most sophisticated laboratories could make only small snippets of DNA -- an extra gene or two to be inserted into corn plants, for example, to help the plants ward off insects or tolerate drought.

Now researchers are poised to cross a dramatic barrier: the creation of life forms driven by completely artificial DNA.

Scientists in Maryland have already built the world's first entirely handcrafted chromosome -- a large looping strand of DNA made from scratch in a laboratory, containing all the instructions a microbe needs to live and reproduce.

In the coming year, they hope to transplant it into a cell, where it is expected to "boot itself up," like software downloaded from the Internet, and cajole the waiting cell to do its bidding. And while the first synthetic chromosome is a plagiarized version of a natural one, others that code for life forms that have never existed before are already under construction.

jim mcnamara

I see a new, major area for Bioethics looming in front of us. Considering the fact that a signficant percentage of the US population is afraid of genetically modified foods, so called "frankenfoods", I wonder what they will think of "frankengerms".

Or a "frankenfido"?

Evo

Now researchers are poised to cross a dramatic barrier: the creation of life forms driven by completely artificial DNA. <snip> And while the first synthetic chromosome is a plagiarized version of a natural one, others that code for life forms that have never existed before are already under construction.

Oh yeah, this is something we really need.

chroot

Actually, I'd say it really is something we need. Consider the time and expense and ethical problems researchers currently face when breeding knock-out mice for experiments. Now consider all of those problems essentially gone, in one stroke.

This new technology is just the lesser of two evils if you're the sort that believes no mouse should ever die in the pursuit of knowledge, but it's the lesser of two evils by several orders of magnitude.

This technology contains within it the capacity to effect great evil -- as did all technologies that came before it.

- Warren

ganstaman

I heard Craig Venter talking about this on tv. He hopes we can make organisms that can produce fuels or energy for us, or that can break down toxins, or produce medicines, etc. Sure, the public will complain, but this really does have great promises if they can get the first few steps working alright.

Plus, come on, this is really cool.

Evo

I'm more worried about "mistakes" that will escape the lab and destroy life as we know it. But then that might not be a bad thing either.

chroot

Quote by Evo

I'm more worried about "mistakes" that will escape the lab and destroy life as we know it. But then that might not be a bad thing either.

You mean like.... the infamous monkey with four asses?

- Warren

*moe darklight*

Quote by chroot

This technology contains within it the capacity to effect great evil -- as did all technologies that came before it.

- Warren

Agreed. The problem, as always, is how will this technology be used — to cure diseases? to solve the problem of pollution (microbes that can digest toxic wastes, for example)? to solve world hunger? or will it be used by dictators to further oppress their people? or "terrorists" to murder millions? — maybe hasbro will get their hands on it and mass market really interesting pets. who knows.

Technology is truly still in its baby stage... I think that as we advance more and more into (potentially) scary (and, let's face it: sometimes downright freaky) territories, it becomes more and more important to develop a set of carefully thought out universal rules, and a well implemented governing body to avoid potential disasters brought on by the misuse of new discoveries.

Because— and I'm sure I'm not the only one —I don't trust that the current system we have now will be able to hold for ever without somebody, somewhere, "pressing the wrong button" (unintentionally or deliberately).

BoomBoom

Quote by moe darklight

Agreed. The problem, as always, is how will this technology be used — to cure diseases? to solve the problem of pollution (microbes that can digest toxic wastes, for example)? to solve world hunger? or will it be used by dictators to further oppress their people? or "terrorists" to murder millions? — maybe hasbro will get their hands on it and mass market really interesting pets. who knows.

Probably "All of the Above" will be used. Furthermore, there is nothing we can do about it. Legislating new technology that we may be afraid of (mostly due to inventive science fiction writers) is pointless. No matter what you do, somewhere in the world, it will be legal. All new technologies are abused or misused in some way, but the potential good far outweighs the possible downfalls...IMO.

*moe darklight*

Quote by BoomBoom

All new technologies are abused or misused in some way, but the potential good far outweighs the possible downfalls...IMO.

not always: what about modern weaponry?— that we've become accustomed to the fact that it's now commonplace to destroy an entire city and kill thousands with the push of a button doesn't mean that the invention of the devises that make this possible has been for the better.

BoomBoom

Quote by moe darklight

not always: what about modern weaponry?— that we've become accustomed to the fact that it's now commonplace to destroy an entire city and kill thousands with the push of a button doesn't mean that the invention of the devises that make this possible has been for the better.

Well, in the case of modern weaponry, that IS the purpose of the invention...to do harm and destroy things. Yet, we invent them anyway.

If some wacko somewhere is going to invent a custom "bug" or disease using synthetic biology to wipe out humanity, the best defense is to be well versed in this technology as well to come up with a defense. Not to pass some meaningless law that will do nothing except handcuff those that would like to do positive and helpful things with this new technology.

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jim mcnamara Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	I see a new, major area for Bioethics looming in front of us. Considering the fact that a signficant percentage of the US population is afraid of genetically modified foods, so called "frankenfoods", I wonder what they will think of "frankengerms". Or a "frankenfido"?

ganstaman	I heard Craig Venter talking about this on tv. He hopes we can make organisms that can produce fuels or energy for us, or that can break down toxins, or produce medicines, etc. Sure, the public will complain, but this really does have great promises if they can get the first few steps working alright. Plus, come on, this is really cool.

Evo Mentor Blog Entries: 4	I'm more worried about "mistakes" that will escape the lab and destroy life as we know it. But then that might not be a bad thing either.