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'Artificial life' Breakthrough
BBC ^ | 16:52 GMT, Thursday, 20 May 2010 | Victoria Gill

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 ...


TOPICS: Anthrax Scare; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: dna; genetics; genome; medicine
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The potential for bio-weapons is unlimited. If the technology gets out, and it will, nukes will become irrelevant.

Whomever has the antidote wins.....

1 posted on 05/20/2010 2:52:11 PM PDT by gandalftb
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To: wagglebee

There is great potential for mischief and perhaps even worse.


2 posted on 05/20/2010 2:53:36 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Obama's more worried about Israelis building houses than he is about Islamists building atomic bombs)
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To: gandalftb

I guess its birth certificate was issued by the State of Hawaii?


3 posted on 05/20/2010 2:55:33 PM PDT by Kartographer (".. we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.")
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To: gandalftb

4 posted on 05/20/2010 2:57:59 PM PDT by bsf2009
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To: gandalftb

I got a bad feeling this wont turn out to well


5 posted on 05/20/2010 2:59:34 PM PDT by barmag25
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To: gandalftb

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.


6 posted on 05/20/2010 3:00:48 PM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: OneWingedShark
should any such organism escape containment, we may sterilize the Earth. It’s the only way to be sure.

Earth Abides...

7 posted on 05/20/2010 3:05:49 PM PDT by erman (Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,)
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To: gandalftb
"They sequenced its genetic code and then used "synthesis machines" to chemically construct a copy. "


8 posted on 05/20/2010 3:09:20 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: gandalftb

Nothing good immediately comes to mind.


9 posted on 05/20/2010 3:09:24 PM PDT by ryan71 (Let's Roll!)
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To: ryan71

Here come the zombies.


10 posted on 05/20/2010 3:19:56 PM PDT by Lachisula
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To: erman
Earth Abides...

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."

11 posted on 05/20/2010 3:25:04 PM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: OneWingedShark
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,

back at you with the bible thing...

Ecclesiastes 1:4 — "Men go and come, but earth abides.

12 posted on 05/20/2010 3:49:38 PM PDT by erman (Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,)
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To: OneWingedShark

I prefer the term “artificial person...”


13 posted on 05/20/2010 3:50:51 PM PDT by ffusco (The President will return this country to what it once was...An arctic wasteland covered in ice.)
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To: gandalftb
"Dr Wallace accused Dr Venter of playing down the potential drawbacks."

That left me hoping that Dr Venter will accuse Dr Wallace of playing up the potential drawbacks.

14 posted on 05/20/2010 4:15:23 PM PDT by danielmryan
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To: erman

:) - 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.}


15 posted on 05/20/2010 4:20:52 PM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Kartographer
"I guess its birth certificate was issued by the State of Hawaii?"

And, likely they've already registered it as a democrat, got a social security #, etc.

16 posted on 05/20/2010 4:52:30 PM PDT by gandalftb (OK State: Go Cowboys)
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To: gandalftb

God created conservatives. He farted and created liberals.


17 posted on 05/20/2010 5:02:16 PM PDT by Enterprise (Dan Rather said Obama is so incompetent he couldn't sell watermelons.)
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To: gandalftb

Means Jack S***. It only shows “life” results from intelligent design. But just how living it is , is questionable.


18 posted on 05/20/2010 7:15:31 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: libh8er

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.


19 posted on 05/20/2010 8:57:30 PM PDT by NotThere
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To: gandalftb
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."

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?

20 posted on 05/20/2010 9:04:50 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear (Does not play well with others.)
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