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Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

Posted August 21, 2007 8:52 AM

From The Globe and Mail - Technology News:

WASHINGTON — Around the world, a handful of scientists are trying to create life from scratch and they're getting closer. Experts expect an announcement within three to 10 years from someone in the now little-known field of "wet artificial life." "It's going to be a big deal and everybody's going to know about it," said Mark Bedau, chief operating officer of ProtoLife of Venice, Italy, one of those in the race. "We're talking about a technology that could change our world in pretty fundamental ways — in fact, in ways that are impossible to predict." That first cell of synthetic life — made from the basic chemicals in DNA — may not seem like much to non-scientists. For one thing, you'll have to look in a microscope to see it. "Creating protocells has the potential to shed new life on our place in the universe," Mr. Bedau said. "This will remove one of the few fundamental mysteries about creation in the universe and our role."

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Guru
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#1

Re: Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

08/22/2007 9:16 AM

The day is coming when a scientist shows up to work to find a tiny little statue erected in his image.

-A-

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#2
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Re: Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

08/22/2007 10:06 AM

That'll be the Sandkings then?

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#3
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Re: Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

08/22/2007 10:26 AM

You got it PlbMak. Sandkings cum Twilightzone cum The Simpsons cum South Park et al.

-A-

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#4
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Re: Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

08/22/2007 10:08 PM

Hi -A-,

Mark Bedau (from the article) says "When these things are created, they're going to be so weak, it'll be a huge achievement if you can keep them alive for an hour in the lab," he said. "But them getting out and taking over, never in our imagination could this happen."

Now, just for the fun of it lets rename Mark's potential creations "Ebola" and then read:

"Because Ebola is potentially lethal and since no approved vaccine or treatment is available, Ebola is classified as a biosafety level 4 agent, as well as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has the potential to be weaponized for use during biological warfare and was investigated for this particular use by both the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War. Its efficacy as a biological-warfare agent is compromised by its extreme lethality and its quickness: a typical outbreak spreads through a small village or hospital, kills everyone there, and runs out of potential hosts, burning out before it reaches a larger community".

Kinda makes you wonder doesn't it?

-John

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#5
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Re: Scientists Around World In Race To Create Artificial Life

08/23/2007 8:28 AM

BioBots being what they are, why do we keep ebola?

Sounds like all someone needs is an effective delivery system. Why don't we have a "No Possible Benefit To Mankind" blast furnace? Really, what's the point in keeping this kind of thing around?

Yeah, I understand the tendency to say, "what if" to potential benefits down the road. But, the lethality now compared to potential in the future? I'm not buying it. We are just as likely to find some shrimp at the bottom of the ocean that has a wonderful cure, without the risk of getting your face eaten off.

Sorry, got side tracked.

-A-

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