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The Medical Equipment Design Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about medical grade materials and products, electrical and electronic equipment, computers, imaging & software, and home healthcare & diagnostics as used in the medical industry. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations.

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Jurassic Lark?

Posted April 05, 2009 7:07 AM

In his blockbuster book, Michael Crichton intoned that just because a technical process can be effected doesn't mean it should. While it may not spawn vicious velociraptors, a new genome-wide take on genetic engineering under development may also offer up unintended impacts. Multiplex-automated genomic engineering accelerates evolution of bacterial cells that can produce renewable fuels and chemicals. The process renders 50 changes to a bacterial genome nearly simultaneously, which can result in something beneficial or raise the specter of something…else. Is this a case where the end result justifies the means or should such science become extinct?

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Re: Jurassic Lark?

04/05/2009 7:58 PM

When governments try to restrict access to any technology (be it genetic engineering, abortion, or gun ownership), the most common effect is to drive it under ground, not to eliminate it from society. If it can be done, someone is going to do it. It is much better to have the science out in the open than in the hands of those that are knowingly operating outside the law, motivated by unknown goals that most likely bode ill for society in general...

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Re: Jurassic Lark?

04/06/2009 1:20 PM

"should such science become extinct"

This will be very hard to do unless we plan to lobotomize mankind. Our thirst for knowledge is insatiable. It would be more mankind's benefit to allow the research but regulate the work environment. We don,t need bugs getting out or someone blowing up the world. That as I see it will be the out come of restricting research in certain areas and forcing those that are working on it to seek other countries that will allow the research and not regulate the work environment.

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