[This is a revised version of a story posted earlier today. I took down the original because the crux of the story was based on misinformation. My original source used misleading wording to suggest something that wasn't true -- that the title organism had already been created. The source article has since been changed to correct the misleading info as well. I apologize for the mistake and any regrettable water-cooler conversations it may have caused.]
The prospect of synthetic life -- that is, life wholly created by the intelligent design of man -- looms heavy on our horizon. The plans have been laid to build a living creature from the ground up, just like God makes 'em. Genetically speaking, it will be like any other form of life. If these scientists are right, we may soon see the first life ever created entirely by human hands: synthetic life.
For the time being, try to set aside thoughts of Frankenstein's monster. BBC News reports that after years of research and development, the J. Craig Venter Institue --who previously led the charge to sequence the human genome -- has applied for a patent on the method they plan to use to create a microscopic synthetic life-form.
The creature, which has not yet been created, will be what they call a "minimal genome" organism -- one that can survive with an absolute minimum of genes. The idea is that other "useful genes" could be introduced, theoretically redesigning the creature for an endless number of uses. Goodbye Viagra, it's synthetic life as boner fuel! Or they could be designed to eat gum off sidewalks; you get the idea. When finished, the simplistic little buggers should look like this:
With such huge potential, the designers of the organism naturally want to reap the financial fruit of their labor. But Pat Mooney of the ETC Group believes the Venter Institute are violating a societal boundary, and wants their patent application denied. ETC Group -- Erosion, Technology, and Concentration -- are best known as the folks who protest genetically modified food, and the much-hated Monsanto, amongst other things. Says ETCs Jim Thomas:
Before these claims go forward, society must consider their far-reaching social, ethical and environmental impacts.
Well, yeah, we should. Although the other side offers a compelling argument too. The Venter institute eventually hopes to use the life-form -- which they're unaffectionately calling Mycoplasma laboratorium -- as a way of generating cheap energy, as an agricultural aid, and to help with climate change. But the ETC is afraid that M. laboratorium could be used to develop a dangerous pathogen, or something worse.
Obviously, with the prospect of such a monumental scientific advance there comes significant danger are these lofty and financially lucrative goals worth the risk? God forbid these things evolve and come looking for their parents or... vengeance. I'd hate to die by the hand of something named after a laboratory.
Aaron Lariviere wishes M. Laboritorium had already been created so he could find it and torture it to death for its conspiratorial role in causing him to initially post an article rife with fallacy.
Just think if we could create a micro-organism that could metabolize plastics, or sewage, or any number of things. Hell, think of one that could eat styrofoam and crap out crude oil.
I am all for it and pro science. This advancement might be a risk but if in the right hands could be the answer to many problems. Without risk there is no great gain.
GOOOO SCIENCE!
It's about fuckin' time. For those of you who don't see the gleam on the horizon...this is the beginning of the molecular machinery that will ultimately lead to cures for thousands of diseases.
Welcome to the next wave of technology.
P.S. I, for one, welcome our new microbe overlords.
Sounds like the organic version of nanobots (or variations thereof) that most science fiction series of standing have devoted at least one episode to. Perhaps the human race can get past mass mechanisation after all.
I look at this as a very viable source of alternative energy... Modify the little buggers to create breakdown garbage/non-recyclable waste and convert it to hydrogen. Then use said hydrogen to power everything from cars to cities to space craft. Or Helium-3, which is actually safer to use in a fusion process. I personally believe that this will be one of the single greatest advancements of the 21st century.
I also see a great potential for the production of energy and the recycling of materials, and many other potential uses, but I also see a problem: If such an organism is released into a non-controlled environment, it could break down substances that we do not want broken down and cause havok. This could be similar but not to the extent of the grey-goo scenario( It could not build substances from non-organic materials, and it would not have a means of coordination( except for possibly forming biofilms) and no "intelligence". If such an organism is used for the production of energy and the recycling of materials, it would have to be done in a controlled environment with many systems of protection. My personal views are that this endeavor into genetic engineering is good, but there are certain ethical concerns when one is dealing with life, and there is a potential disaster if this technology is misused.
Great story. I love future tech science stuff.
When the folks start saying we shouldn't be playing God, (and I think they will have plenty to say before we forget about this article) lets try to consider it was God who gave us the intellect and freewill to explore. Push on, great scientists. Push on.
Well, since no one has mentioned this I thought I would: there is also the possibility of it mutating and becoming resistant to any forms of control we would have over it, or it being harmful to our ecosystem. It took a long ass time for life to evolve on this planet, what makes us think we can get it right any faster.
I think the ETC group was wise to advise caution. Though I can't fault the scientists for their ambition, especially with all the tantalizing advances that could be achieved. Seems to always be a conundrum like this whenever science is on the verge of a technological breakthrough...
Just think if we could create a micro-organism that could metabolize plastics, or sewage, or any number of things. Hell, think of one that could eat styrofoam and crap out crude oil.
Man, science is just fucking rockin' sometimes.
We already have microorganisms that digest crude. They are used in oil spills, so that part of the future is already here. As far as sewage goes, it can be digested, but the problem is getting everything oxygenated so the poor little suckers don't suffocate. Polymers like styrofoam and plastics are a tougher nut to crack, the way to handle them is recycling or the bioplastics which degrade naturally and I think are awesome. People in my field are also working on new polymers that degrade more quickly in UV light. (Ever had a nylon rope crumble in your hands from sun damage?)
They could use the technology to stopped Hiv/aids from killing its host. Since viruses genetically reengineer the host body its only fair to use a synthetic virus to attack it.
Aaron_Lariviere
Los Angeles, CA
May 2007
JUN 08, 2007 09:21 PM