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IT'S ALIVE

Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's StockingNorth PoleRegistered User regular
edited May 2010 in Social Entropy++
alright so check this out

these dudes right, they synthesized a strand of bacterial dna, and they put it in a cell, right

and then the dna took over the cell

so essentially, we're a half step away from creating life

that is terrifying and awesome and terrifying.

the president is apparently looking into this kind of stuff to see if it is considered ethical or not

so let me posit that question to you, class

is it cool to create organic cells for use in biofuels and the like

and if that's cool where does that coolness end

when does it start getting like, gattaca levels of fucked up

xmassig2.gif
Kuribo's Shoe on
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Posts

  • TamTam Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    yep let's do it

    Tam on
    tumblr
  • Skull ManSkull Man RIP KUSU Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    can someone who knows more about science explain this to me step-by-step to tell me why it's remarkable

    Skull Man on
  • UnbreakableVowUnbreakableVow Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    This isn't cool

    UnbreakableVow on
  • bombardierbombardier Moderator Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2010
    Make something that eats plastic and poops out rainbows.

    bombardier on
  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Ethics are only defined by the limitation of our natural bodies.

    Genetics are the key to being free of our natural shackles.

    Brolo on
    Hey Satan!
  • George Fornby GrillGeorge Fornby Grill ...Like Clockwork Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Can we synthesize people then start up the slave trade again?

    George Fornby Grill on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Skull Man wrote: »
    can someone who knows more about science explain this to me step-by-step to tell me why it's remarkable

    you could try reading the article I linked helpfully

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • Viscount IslandsViscount Islands [INSERT SoKo HERE] ...it was the summer of my lifeRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Make me a lizard person.

    Viscount Islands on
    I want to do with you
    What spring does with the cherry trees.
  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Rolo wrote: »
    Ethics are only defined by the limitation of our natural bodies.

    Genetics are the key to being free of our natural shackles.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoteS17NnGE

    Brolo on
    Hey Satan!
  • LarlarLarlar consecutive normal brunches Moderator, ClubPA Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2010
    Worthless Lurker wrote: »
    Can we synthesize people then start up the slave trade again?

    No, synthesizing people is wrong.

    Larlar on
    iwantanswers3.png
  • lostwordslostwords Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    so like if you inject special bacterial horsey dna into a baby, you can raise a halfstallion/half human monstrosity? am i reading that right? can i finally ride a centaur?

    lostwords on
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  • GreenGreen Stick around. I'm full of bad ideas.Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Skull Man wrote: »
    can someone who knows more about science explain this to me step-by-step to tell me why it's remarkable

    Science is halfway to being God

    Green on
  • Viscount IslandsViscount Islands [INSERT SoKo HERE] ...it was the summer of my lifeRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Splice.jpg

    Viscount Islands on
    I want to do with you
    What spring does with the cherry trees.
  • DoobhDoobh She/Her, Ace Pan/Bisexual 8-) What's up, bootlickers?Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    good god

    a politician is the last person I want looking at the ethical limits of science

    Doobh on
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  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    lostwords wrote: »
    so like if you inject special bacterial horsey dna into a baby, you can raise a halfstallion/half human monstrosity? am i reading that right? can i finally ride a centaur?

    I don't think we're quite that far, boss

    Kuribo's Shoe on
    xmassig2.gif
  • LarlarLarlar consecutive normal brunches Moderator, ClubPA Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2010
    Green wrote: »
    Skull Man wrote: »
    can someone who knows more about science explain this to me step-by-step to tell me why it's remarkable

    Science is halfway to being God

    The other half is being a frozen carcass in space.

    Larlar on
    iwantanswers3.png
  • VixxVixx Valkyrie: prepared! Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    wait so what are the implications of this technology that make it a bad thing or a good thing?

    Vixx on
    6cd6kllpmhb0.jpeg
  • Calamity JaneCalamity Jane That Wrong Love Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    oh thank god it ain't the dreamcast again

    Calamity Jane on
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  • HoukHouk Nipples The EchidnaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Let me recreate a real-life pokemon of my choice, and then burn this program to the ground

    Houk on
  • RuckusRuckus Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    I cannot foresee any potential problems or consequences to Humankind playing God.

    Ruckus on
  • Wrench N RocketsWrench N Rockets Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Worthless Lurker wrote: »
    Can we synthesize people then start up the slave trade again?

    marsala.jpg

    Wrench N Rockets on
    sig_lambo.jpg
  • Calamity JaneCalamity Jane That Wrong Love Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Vivixenne wrote: »
    wait so what are the implications of this technology that make it a bad thing or a good thing?

    william gibson quote from call of duty 4

    Calamity Jane on
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  • SquallSquall hap cloud Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    will it make me an android

    these are the questions

    Squall on
  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    lostwords wrote: »
    so like if you inject special bacterial horsey dna into a baby, you can raise a halfstallion/half human monstrosity? am i reading that right? can i finally ride a centaur?



    Essentially we've only been able to splice parts of engineered DNA patterns into cells before.

    This time we've put an entire loop of engineered DNA into a cell, and it's complete enough that it can replicate on its own.

    Brolo on
    Hey Satan!
  • bombardierbombardier Moderator Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2010
    Seriously though something that could decompose plastic would be pretty useful. Also other nasty shit like oil. Ok I guess oil then.

    bombardier on
  • DoobhDoobh She/Her, Ace Pan/Bisexual 8-) What's up, bootlickers?Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    Doobh on
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  • The Otaku SuppositoryThe Otaku Suppository Bawstan New EnglandRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Kuribo's Shoe wrote: »

    is it cool to create organic cells for use in biofuels and the like

    and if that's cool where does that coolness end

    when does it start getting like, gattaca levels of fucked up

    Right about the time when the scientist responsible says this:
    "We decided that writing new biological software and creating new species, we could create new species to what we want them to do, not what they evolved to do."

    It sounds benign and incredibly ethical boundary pushing creepy at the same time.

    The Otaku Suppository on
  • HoukHouk Nipples The EchidnaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Ruckus wrote: »
    I cannot foresee any potential problems or consequences to Humankind playing God.
    Someone's gotta pick up His slack!

    Houk on
  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Dubh wrote: »
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    You're only 'playing god' when something goes horribly wrong.

    The rest of the time you're curing cancer.

    Brolo on
    Hey Satan!
  • Kevin CristKevin Crist I make the devil hit his knees and say the 'our father'Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    It ends when I can go to a Mythical Creatures Zoo.

    On Tuesdays you can feed the Manticores live fairies.

    Kevin Crist on
    acpRlGW.jpg
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  • UnbreakableVowUnbreakableVow Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Rolo wrote: »
    Dubh wrote: »
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    You're only 'playing god' when something goes horribly wrong.

    The rest of the time you're curing cancer.

    I would call curing cancer playing God

    UnbreakableVow on
  • The Otaku SuppositoryThe Otaku Suppository Bawstan New EnglandRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    bombardier wrote: »
    Seriously though something that could decompose plastic would be pretty useful. Also other nasty shit like oil. Ok I guess oil then.

    But what if it doesn't stop there? What if it hungers for more?

    The Otaku Suppository on
  • Wrench N RocketsWrench N Rockets Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Rolo wrote: »
    lostwords wrote: »
    so like if you inject special bacterial horsey dna into a baby, you can raise a halfstallion/half human monstrosity? am i reading that right? can i finally ride a centaur?



    Essentially we've only been able to splice parts of engineered DNA patterns into cells before.

    This time we've put an entire loop of engineered DNA into a cell, and it's complete enough that it can replicate on its own.

    The implications for bioweapons are terrifying.

    Wrench N Rockets on
    sig_lambo.jpg
  • LarlarLarlar consecutive normal brunches Moderator, ClubPA Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2010
    Dubh wrote: »
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    I'll write one when I'm done with my current story. That sounds like fun.

    Larlar on
    iwantanswers3.png
  • TamTam Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    they haven't created life from scratch by the way
    Dr. Venter copied the DNA from one species of bacteria and inserted it into another. The second bacteria made all the proteins and organelles in the so-called “synthetic cell,” by following the specifications implicit in the structure of the inserted DNA.

    heavy modification, sure

    Tam on
    tumblr
  • FaynorFaynor Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Can I splice up yet

    Can I become a tiger-man

    Faynor on
    do you wanna see me eat a hotdog
  • DoobhDoobh She/Her, Ace Pan/Bisexual 8-) What's up, bootlickers?Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Larlar wrote: »
    Dubh wrote: »
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    I'll write one when I'm done with my current story. That sounds like fun.

    maybe I should also write something

    start a trend

    Doobh on
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    Twitch (I stream most days of the week)
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  • BroloBrolo Broseidon Lord of the BroceanRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Wrench N Rockets wrote: »
    Rolo wrote: »
    lostwords wrote: »
    so like if you inject special bacterial horsey dna into a baby, you can raise a halfstallion/half human monstrosity? am i reading that right? can i finally ride a centaur?



    Essentially we've only been able to splice parts of engineered DNA patterns into cells before.

    This time we've put an entire loop of engineered DNA into a cell, and it's complete enough that it can replicate on its own.

    The implications for bioweapons are terrifying.

    Really, there are many more effective, less-delicate and less-costly methods for creating bio-weapons than this.

    Brolo on
    Hey Satan!
  • HoukHouk Nipples The EchidnaRegistered User regular
    edited May 2010
    UnbreakableVow wrote: »
    Rolo wrote: »
    Dubh wrote: »
    is there any work of science fiction where playing God turns out to be pretty okay?

    You're only 'playing god' when something goes horribly wrong.

    The rest of the time you're curing cancer.

    I would call curing cancer playing God
    In that case, I would call any use of medicine and really any attempt at self-preservation playing God

    In which case, the phrase is utterly useless

    Houk on
  • scarlet st.scarlet st. Registered User regular
    edited May 2010
    Wrench N Rockets wrote: »
    Worthless Lurker wrote: »
    Can we synthesize people then start up the slave trade again?

    marsala.jpg

    :^:

    scarlet st. on
    japsig.jpg
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Penny Arcade Forums› Social Entropy++