I am creating life, says US scientist

Von Tonner · 10-07-07, 02:23 AM

This could turn out to be the biggest break through in science since the discovery of bubble gum. Seriously though, I'm all for it but I expect their will be a lot of "navel inspection", hystiria, hand wringing, etc, from all groups of society, political as well as religious.

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx...national_news/

Letum · 10-07-07, 03:26 AM

I wonder if this is a break through for chemistary or biology. :hmm:

Skybird · 10-07-07, 05:06 AM

I wonder where man all of a sudden should get the sense of responsibility from that is needed to help preventing that such powerful tools shall not be abused for - carefully said - questionable goals and practices.

Blade Runner, Getacca, I hear you calling.

I simply think man in no way is ripe for such powers.

joea · 10-07-07, 06:38 AM

I already know how to create life.

My parents knew also. :p

antikristuseke · 10-07-07, 06:46 AM

Well its been known from experiements done since the 50's that amino acids that form the DNA double helix can form in what is belived to be the composition of acient Aarths atmosphere and oceans so it sint really all that surprsing that we have come far ennough along that some of our brightest minds can create chromosomes. Allso this is a nice blow to the creationist camp and their mindless babble, but im sure that bunch of lunatics won't leave things to unfold on their own without puting up a fight and im pretty sure politicians riding on their votes will allso try to **** things up. Guess we have to wait and see. Interesting article.

Edit: trying to type after just having waken up is bloody prone to typos.

The Avon Lady · 10-07-07, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Blade Runner, Getacca, I hear you calling.

You missed one.

CB.. · 10-07-07, 08:04 AM

"Space above and Beyond" had a nice one too..
first create a race of machines to do the dirty work no one else wants to do..oops forgot to give them a mind of their own..oops they developed one..and told us to "sod off"... next make the same mistake again by creating a race of "tanks" ie manufactured human beings to fight the now independant AI manchine people....oops forgot that they might have their own thoughts regarding having been manufactured to fight our battles for us ...they tell us to "sod off" too....

strange thing about the religious angle on all this is that you can't play at being god (even with a small "G")..without running into the same problems with your creations..give 'em a mind of their own??? or not??? bit of a sticky wicket that..

maybe the bible and other religious works are not quite as barmy as we would like to think...personaly i am inclined to be less hasty to dismiss them as they do throw up the same questions we are finding our selves dealing with ...a "hand book for races that want to play god" ..lol

a parable if you like...taken as such they are becoming more relevant every day rather than less relevant...mind you this is not an argument for religion...religion is a weapon of mass destruction...just an argument for some sort of middle ground..

if were going to start desiging life to suit OUR needs...hadn't we better examine what we believe our needs to be ? first? better to know now rather than later...as it's a lot harder to undo than it it actualy is to do..what de ye reckon..unless we are going to just treat life itself as if it were just another commodity in our consumer "lifestyle"....or perhaps that is why they have been ramming that word down our throats for last 20 years...to prepare us for the concept that life IS just another commodity??

anyhuw i'm sure they (who ever the hell "they" are) know what theyre doing....well there's allways a first time isn't there :rotfl:

would you let an ape loose with a chemistry set??

Letum · 10-07-07, 08:13 AM

It's likely that this kind of thing happens in nature on a regular basis anyway.

The earth was very different when the first semi-chemical semi-biological life forms where
produced, however it is likely that is is an event that has happened, and continues to happen
every now and again. It is likely that there are plenty of places where the right
chemicals and conditions exist.

Kapitan_Phillips · 10-07-07, 08:59 AM

I know how to create life too. Its called sex.

Skybird · 10-07-07, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

It's likely that this kind of thing happens in nature on a regular basis anyway.

The earth was very different when the first semi-chemical semi-biological life forms where
produced, however it is likely that is is an event that has happened, and continues to happen
every now and again. It is likely that there are plenty of places where the right
chemicals and conditions exist.

Invalid comparison.

The danger with artificially influencing genes is that we breed humans and do not see them as humans, that we create groteque abberations simply becasue we can do it, and abuse the first and/or the latter for medical purposes and slave work, and to design our own private designer babies not different to the items we buy for our luxury needs. the danger is that we create a genetic monoculture, and we know for sure one thijng: less diversity in agriculture and misture of species in a given environemnt increases their vulnerability to for destuction due to a single infection or parasite which threatens the whole population insrtead of only parts of it. Translating this to the level of a species-specific geene-pool is a risk that evben cannot be fully overseen or overestimated. And blind and uncritical optimism that is so very typical for the industry wanting to push a new product is the last thing that we need.

10-07-07, 10:04 AM

It is then transplanted into a living bacterial cell and in the final stage of the process it is expected to take control of the cell and in effect become a new life form.

This guy and his 20 scientists aren't creating life. They are destroying a life so that they can make outragous claims. Its this type of behavior which shows that mankind lacks the moral and ethical underpinnings to do anything more than procreate.

Letum · 10-07-07, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

It's likely that this kind of thing happens in nature on a regular basis anyway.

The earth was very different when the first semi-chemical semi-biological life forms where
produced, however it is likely that is is an event that has happened, and continues to happen
every now and again. It is likely that there are plenty of places where the right
chemicals and conditions exist.

Invalid comparison.

The danger with artificially influencing genes is that we breed humans and do not see them as humans, that we create groteque abberations simply because we can do it, and abuse the first and/or the latter for medical purposes and slave work, and to design our own private designer babies not different to the items we buy for our luxury needs. the danger is that we create a genetic monoculture, and we know for sure one thijng: less diversity in agriculture and misture of species in a given environemnt increases their vulnerability to for destuction due to a single infection or parasite which threatens the whole population insrtead of only parts of it. Translating this to the level of a species-specific geene-pool is a risk that evben cannot be fully overseen or overestimated. And blind and uncritical optimism that is so very typical for the industry wanting to push a new product is the last thing that we need.

How is the comparison "invalid"?

Quote:

The danger with artificially influencing genes is that we breed humans and do not see them as humans

The danger with artificially splitting the atom is that we blow our selves to bits in a
nuclear apocalypse.

Just because we study and experiment with genetics, does not mean we are heading
towards Huxley's "Brave New World".

Like nuclear technology, this kind of genetic research could be used for both good
and bad. That does not mean we should avoid it.

If you think the research in it's self, and not just it's ends, is immoral, then I refer
you to my above comparison.

DeepIron · 10-07-07, 10:55 AM

Quote:

That gives us the hypothetical ability to do things never contemplated before.

We are too immature as a species to be playing with this stuff...

With enough $$$, hypothetical turns into realization... And those who control the $$$ will control its outcome.

CB.. · 10-07-07, 11:16 AM

this is a cracker

i'd like to throw the "Matrix" into the mix aswell (tho in a sideways and technically inaccurate fashion)..
if we are designing LIFE to suit OUR needs...thus abandoning any right to claim LIFE as a special and unique element in the universe..and one which should be respected as such...and that does include us also

then...

Whose needs are WE designed to fullfill...?

adinfinitum
are we standing in an endless hall of mirrors?
whose rules are we playing by...? should we be telling "some-one" to "sod off"???

evoloution tells us that "the ends justify the means" and i'm not sure religion really says any different..

we ought to spend a couple of hundred years thinking about this before we play this "ball"
how likely is that to happen?? zero percent..

might be a clue there..matrix style..i say we find the miserable apeths who designed us to suit their needs.. and tell 'em to "sod off"...lol...madness of course...or is it...?? danger will robinson danger...

antikristuseke · 10-07-07, 11:18 AM

What seems to imply that we fill any need or that we were designed?

10-07-07, 02:23 AM	#1
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	I am creating life, says US scientist This could turn out to be the biggest break through in science since the discovery of bubble gum. Seriously though, I'm all for it but I expect their will be a lot of "navel inspection", hystiria, hand wringing, etc, from all groups of society, political as well as religious. http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx...national_news/

10-07-07, 03:26 AM	#2
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I wonder if this is a break through for chemistary or biology. :hmm: __________________

10-07-07, 05:06 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I wonder where man all of a sudden should get the sense of responsibility from that is needed to help preventing that such powerful tools shall not be abused for - carefully said - questionable goals and practices. Blade Runner, Getacca, I hear you calling. I simply think man in no way is ripe for such powers. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

10-07-07, 06:46 AM	#5
antikristuseke Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Estland Posts: 4,330 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Well its been known from experiements done since the 50's that amino acids that form the DNA double helix can form in what is belived to be the composition of acient Aarths atmosphere and oceans so it sint really all that surprsing that we have come far ennough along that some of our brightest minds can create chromosomes. Allso this is a nice blow to the creationist camp and their mindless babble, but im sure that bunch of lunatics won't leave things to unfold on their own without puting up a fight and im pretty sure politicians riding on their votes will allso try to **** things up. Guess we have to wait and see. Interesting article. Edit: trying to type after just having waken up is bloody prone to typos. Last edited by antikristuseke; 10-07-07 at 06:58 AM.

10-07-07, 08:04 AM	#7
CB.. Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,278 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	"Space above and Beyond" had a nice one too.. first create a race of machines to do the dirty work no one else wants to do..oops forgot to give them a mind of their own..oops they developed one..and told us to "sod off"... next make the same mistake again by creating a race of "tanks" ie manufactured human beings to fight the now independant AI manchine people....oops forgot that they might have their own thoughts regarding having been manufactured to fight our battles for us ...they tell us to "sod off" too.... strange thing about the religious angle on all this is that you can't play at being god (even with a small "G")..without running into the same problems with your creations..give 'em a mind of their own??? or not??? bit of a sticky wicket that.. maybe the bible and other religious works are not quite as barmy as we would like to think...personaly i am inclined to be less hasty to dismiss them as they do throw up the same questions we are finding our selves dealing with ...a "hand book for races that want to play god" ..lol a parable if you like...taken as such they are becoming more relevant every day rather than less relevant...mind you this is not an argument for religion...religion is a weapon of mass destruction...just an argument for some sort of middle ground.. if were going to start desiging life to suit OUR needs...hadn't we better examine what we believe our needs to be ? first? better to know now rather than later...as it's a lot harder to undo than it it actualy is to do..what de ye reckon..unless we are going to just treat life itself as if it were just another commodity in our consumer "lifestyle"....or perhaps that is why they have been ramming that word down our throats for last 20 years...to prepare us for the concept that life IS just another commodity?? anyhuw i'm sure they (who ever the hell "they" are) know what theyre doing....well there's allways a first time isn't there :rotfl: would you let an ape loose with a chemistry set?? __________________ the world's tinyiest sh3 supermod- and other SH3/SH2 stuff http://www.ebort2.co.uk/ The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B.Yeats

10-07-07, 06:38 AM	#4
joea Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: At periscope depth in Lake Geneva Posts: 3,512 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	I already know how to create life. My parents knew also. :p

10-07-07, 08:13 AM	#8
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	It's likely that this kind of thing happens in nature on a regular basis anyway. The earth was very different when the first semi-chemical semi-biological life forms where produced, however it is likely that is is an event that has happened, and continues to happen every now and again. It is likely that there are plenty of places where the right chemicals and conditions exist. __________________

10-07-07, 08:59 AM	#9
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	I know how to create life too. Its called sex. __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

10-07-07, 10:04 AM	#11
waste gate Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	It is then transplanted into a living bacterial cell and in the final stage of the process it is expected to take control of the cell and in effect become a new life form. This guy and his 20 scientists aren't creating life. They are destroying a life so that they can make outragous claims. Its this type of behavior which shows that mankind lacks the moral and ethical underpinnings to do anything more than procreate.

10-07-07, 11:16 AM	#14
CB.. Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,278 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	this is a cracker i'd like to throw the "Matrix" into the mix aswell (tho in a sideways and technically inaccurate fashion).. if we are designing LIFE to suit OUR needs...thus abandoning any right to claim LIFE as a special and unique element in the universe..and one which should be respected as such...and that does include us also then... Whose needs are WE designed to fullfill...? adinfinitum are we standing in an endless hall of mirrors? whose rules are we playing by...? should we be telling "some-one" to "sod off"??? evoloution tells us that "the ends justify the means" and i'm not sure religion really says any different.. we ought to spend a couple of hundred years thinking about this before we play this "ball" how likely is that to happen?? zero percent.. might be a clue there..matrix style..i say we find the miserable apeths who designed us to suit their needs.. and tell 'em to "sod off"...lol...madness of course...or is it...?? danger will robinson danger... __________________ the world's tinyiest sh3 supermod- and other SH3/SH2 stuff http://www.ebort2.co.uk/ The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B.Yeats Last edited by CB..; 10-07-07 at 11:26 AM.

10-07-07, 11:18 AM	#15
antikristuseke Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Estland Posts: 4,330 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	What seems to imply that we fill any need or that we were designed?