This seems very oddly timed considering that horror movie about genetic engineering and creating new species called Splice is coming out within a month.
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BroloBroseidonLord of the BroceanRegistered Userregular
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.
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.
yeah, nature's already ten million times more cost effective
This is one heck of a door. It isn't new life, but it is pretty much the beginning of sci-fi style genetically engineering stuff to be all different with wings and shit.
First bacteria that are coded to decompose trash with more fuel as the result.
Then bacteria coded to hide in plastic and eat flesh when in direct contact.
Basically, the phrase "playing God" is really stupid and only used to demonize something without addressing the actual issue!
Exactly! Potentially harming people, violating human rights or the environment, THOSE are issues. Playing the part of some possibly existent creator figure really isn't
Basically, the phrase "playing God" is really stupid and only used to demonize something without addressing the actual issue!
this is essentially why I avoided using the term in my original post
it's nebulous at best and stupid at worst
I just wonder, if we get to the point where we can genetically modify humans, where's that line, the line between making it so you never get cancer, and making it so you look exactly the way your parents want you to, finding the genetic markers for homosexuality and overwriting them, etc
would it destroy individuality? is that bad? who ate my schnitzel?
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VivixenneRemember your training, and we'll get through this just fine.Registered Userregular
yes this is why I want someone to answer my question from the first page
From what I can tell in the article, the only ethical question here is whether or not these scientists should be changing the intended function of a cell. They aren't creating life, they're just modifying it to serve their purpose, to create stuff like virus vaccines and eco-friendly fuels.
EDIT: Oh, and as stated a few times already, there's some fear that scientists might be able to modify cells to serve as bioweapons... But that's a little beyond the scope of what's been done here.
wait so what are the implications of this technology that make it a bad thing or a good thing?
Good thing:
The real interesting stuff will start when people are able to use this technique to generate and grow things like stem cells from exisiting organic materials. You could use it help people with damaged or deteriorating diseases of the nervous system like Parkinson's.
Bad thing:
The most dangerous thing would be introducing a bacteria cell into an environment that isn't prepared for it, and having that cell multiply at an uncontrolled rate. Remember the episode of the Simpsons where Bart brings his frog to Australia? That kind of thing could happen when people get ideas like 'let's engineer a bacteria that can break down plastics and oils", and then the bacteria makes its way into the wild or gets flushed into the ocean. It then starts adapating and breaking down other materials, or makes it more difficult for plant life to grow, or makes the water even more toxic for other animals.
wait so what are the implications of this technology that make it a bad thing or a good thing?
Well, a very long-term issue I think would be the creation or alteration of new life. Like, if you create a new species whole-cloth or modify one so that it is sufficiently different from the existing species, can you claim ownership over it? Since it's a synthetic being, do animal protection rights apply to it? Can you patent it and use it however you want? Are there certain changes we shouldn't be allowed to make? Who gets to decide what is and is not allowable, or dangerous, or useful, or whatever?
It's not that the technology itself would be bad or good, but how it's used. Think of it how people saw the rise of nuclear power/weaponry back in the day.
I mean that is a pretty long-off and far-fetched situation, but it's one example off the top of my head.
I'm not that worried about the ethical implications of this. We've been breeding animals and plants into warped, unnatural forms for centuries.
This is kind of cooler though, because that is like throwing lots of different meat in a pot for a few hours and calling it stew compared to meticulously measuring how much of each meat and the spices involved to create something real specefic.
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Kevin CristI make the devil hit his kneesand say the 'our father'Registered Userregular
The most dangerous thing would be introducing a bacteria cell into an environment that isn't prepared for it, and having that cell multiply at an uncontrolled rate. Remember the episode of the Simpsons where Bart brings his frog to Australia? That kind of thing could happen when people get ideas like 'let's engineer a bacteria that can break down plastics and oils", and then the bacteria makes its way into the wild or gets flushed into the ocean.
Another example is how kudzu went wild in the Deep South.
Somebody brought kudzu seeds over from Japan, next thing you know the kudzu's strangling the existing plants by growing over it.
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Man was never meant to harness the awesome power of the pointy stick.
I agree
Sure, if you just want to kill people.
But now the sky's the limit.
yeah, nature's already ten million times more cost effective
just use any number of existing deadly pathogens
I'm pretty sure I'd be throwing balls of fire at cities, impregnating virgin women, and flooding the world
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Twitter (mean leftist discourse)
I'll be sure to tell that to the kids at Nemours.
Many forms of modern medicine is playing God. I doubt Organ Transplants were in the original blueprints.
Steam: YOU FACE JARAXXUS| Twitch.tv: CainLoveless
Well in that case we've been playing god since we started creating inoculations, so why stop now?
it'll be fun.
I realize this
It doesn't mean I agree with it
But whatever, might as well not stop now, you guys are right
the way i see it is, as long as it doesn't ultimately harm us/the planet, it's okay. if we can build a better herring then let's do that.
hey satan...: thinkgeek amazon My post |
First bacteria that are coded to decompose trash with more fuel as the result.
Then bacteria coded to hide in plastic and eat flesh when in direct contact.
ME AM PLAY GODS
VERETAS: BLADE RUNNER
let's make it happen
hey satan...: thinkgeek amazon My post |
Exactly! Potentially harming people, violating human rights or the environment, THOSE are issues. Playing the part of some possibly existent creator figure really isn't
They better make Humicorns first.
Those kitties in glass jars.
What spring does with the cherry trees.
We should email Hussie STAT.
And then send those scientists a link to Humanimals and a simple declaration: MAKE IT HAPPEN
this is essentially why I avoided using the term in my original post
it's nebulous at best and stupid at worst
I just wonder, if we get to the point where we can genetically modify humans, where's that line, the line between making it so you never get cancer, and making it so you look exactly the way your parents want you to, finding the genetic markers for homosexuality and overwriting them, etc
would it destroy individuality? is that bad? who ate my schnitzel?
yeah exactly
see: grafting
From what I can tell in the article, the only ethical question here is whether or not these scientists should be changing the intended function of a cell. They aren't creating life, they're just modifying it to serve their purpose, to create stuff like virus vaccines and eco-friendly fuels.
EDIT: Oh, and as stated a few times already, there's some fear that scientists might be able to modify cells to serve as bioweapons... But that's a little beyond the scope of what's been done here.
or pugs
Good thing:
The real interesting stuff will start when people are able to use this technique to generate and grow things like stem cells from exisiting organic materials. You could use it help people with damaged or deteriorating diseases of the nervous system like Parkinson's.
Bad thing:
The most dangerous thing would be introducing a bacteria cell into an environment that isn't prepared for it, and having that cell multiply at an uncontrolled rate. Remember the episode of the Simpsons where Bart brings his frog to Australia? That kind of thing could happen when people get ideas like 'let's engineer a bacteria that can break down plastics and oils", and then the bacteria makes its way into the wild or gets flushed into the ocean. It then starts adapating and breaking down other materials, or makes it more difficult for plant life to grow, or makes the water even more toxic for other animals.
It's not that the technology itself would be bad or good, but how it's used. Think of it how people saw the rise of nuclear power/weaponry back in the day.
I mean that is a pretty long-off and far-fetched situation, but it's one example off the top of my head.
This is kind of cooler though, because that is like throwing lots of different meat in a pot for a few hours and calling it stew compared to meticulously measuring how much of each meat and the spices involved to create something real specefic.
Humanity has much to answer for bringing the Affenpinscher into existence.
Steam: YOU FACE JARAXXUS| Twitch.tv: CainLoveless
cheers
shoe at least MY unoriginal question generated some GOOD answers so NYEH
Another example is how kudzu went wild in the Deep South.
Somebody brought kudzu seeds over from Japan, next thing you know the kudzu's strangling the existing plants by growing over it.
you smell
there's a good answer for you
take it to the bank
the smell bank
it is the only bank that will have you
because you smell
Man fuck Japan's ecosystem.