Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: RightWhale
...could a complete viable gene set [chromosomes] for a nucleus be synthesized that would build the rest of the parts that make up an obviously living, growing cell?

Theoretically, yes. It's very difficult to get all the components in the right order, temporally, spatially, etc. The production of whole gene sequences is already commonly done. Viral delivery of such genes has been experimentally performed for research known as gene therapy--the replacement of normal genes in cells lacking such.

A couple of years ago, attempts to build the polio virus de novo was in the news. I think it was briefly discussed on FR. The general response was that it couldn't be done because, of course, life cannot be created in the lab. Now it's been done, so viruses are definitely not life. For ethical reasons this is the position of Wimmer et al., the researchers who did this work. More importantly than ethical considerations is if it can be done, somebody will do it and it had better be us, so we know what it is about and know sooner how to combat potential ill uses.

47 posted on 07/11/2002 9:54:51 PM PDT by Nebullis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies ]


To: Nebullis
importantly important
48 posted on 07/11/2002 9:57:42 PM PDT by Nebullis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies ]

To: Nebullis
It's very difficult to get all the components in the right order, temporally, spatially, etc.

No doubt it would be a huge undertaking. You are on or near the cutting edge of this, looks like. Would you think it is just a matter of time?

50 posted on 07/11/2002 10:01:11 PM PDT by RightWhale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson