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To: pnh102
This is more genetic perversion than creating life. If it was truly artificial life, no existing organisms would be needed.

As per the original article: "Of note, many scientists observe that this achievement is not tantamount to 'creating life' in a scientific sense because the research required a functioning, naturally occurring host cell to accept the synthesized genome."

Why would you consider making an artificial genome a "perversion"?

8 posted on 12/16/2010 8:22:36 PM PST by Abin Sur
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To: Abin Sur
may inject a thought:

artificial verses natural...now could one of the first two be a perversion? If one is a perversion, which would be perverse? Maybe the artificial? For would any argue the natural would be a perversion?

12 posted on 12/16/2010 8:29:36 PM PST by no-to-illegals (Please God, Bless and Protect Our Men and Women in Uniform with Victory. Amen.)
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To: Abin Sur

“Why would you consider making an artificial genome a “perversion”? “

An artificial genome of itself is not problem. An artificial genome expressed in a viable cell may be a problem if it replicates.

We don’t understand enough yet to know if a genome, a DNA sequence that is expressed in a cell (say e coli or b subtilis) , may pose a threat if it is allowed to multiply.

“Perversion” may be the wrong term, biothreat may be more applicable.


18 posted on 12/16/2010 8:40:20 PM PST by DBrow
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