Scinetists create an artificial life

[Mish]

Scientists in the US have succeeded in developing the first synthetic living cell. The researchers constructed a bacterium's "genetic software" and transplanted it into a host cell.

The resulting microbe then looked and behaved like the species "dictated" by the synthetic DNA.

"As soon as this new software goes into the cell, the cell reads [it] and converts into the species specified in that genetic code."

The new bacteria replicated over a billion times, producing copies that contained and were controlled by the constructed, synthetic DNA.

"This is the first time any synthetic DNA has been in complete control of a cell," said Dr Venter.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10132762.stm]BBC News - 'Artificial life' breakthrough announced by scientists[/url]

Sometimes I'm awed at how far we've come.

So what's next? Artificially designed plants and animals?

[Junket]

I just listened about that on NPR, or National Public Radio (America's version of BBC).

Kinda scary.

[Cbrider]

Welcome to the first step in designing an Android.

[IndiReloaded]

Hmmmm.....

[Sonrisa]

Misha misspelled? it is the end of the world as we know it.

[Lipp]

Does an organism with an artificial genome = artificial organism (artificial life)?

[the_robot]

Wow, the news are late hahaha I watched Craig Venter's conference months ago, and then I watched him talk about this again at TED.

[Gribble]

The anti-christ is among us!!!

[dewilliams2]

Does an organism with an artificial genome = artificial organism (artificial life)?

I wondered that to...I'm not sure.

I think generally when we talk about artificial life we assume there is an intelligent being involved but I guess technically it is.

Did you hear though that they created a computer that has the computing power of a cat? Within 9 years they said they will have a computer with the computing abilities of a human in terms of being able to form abstract thoughts and problem solve...kinda scary I think...didn't they see Terminator?

[IndiReloaded]

Wow, the news are late hahaha I watched Craig Venter's conference months ago, and then I watched him talk about this again at TED.

Do you know Craig Venter?

[IndiReloaded]

Does an organism with an artificial genome = artificial organism (artificial life)?

No. But there are ppl working on constructing a completely artificial metabolism that evolves.

Then again, depends on how you define life. Autonomously replicating systems have already been created. Wiki for in vitro selection.

[the_robot]

Do you know Craig Venter?

Not personally, but I've been reading about his research before they actually did it.

Did you hear though that they created a computer that has the computing power of a cat? Within 9 years they said they will have a computer with the computing abilities of a human in terms of being able to form abstract thoughts and problem solve...kinda scary I think...didn't they see Terminator?

Actually, if the computing power growth scale keeps at the pace it's been in the last 30 years, they'll have a computer with the same computer power of a human male by 2035, female by 2038. Now, quantum computers may change that... quickly.

[Junket]

We can barely handle natural life as it is.

Somebody is gonna f*ck up.

[SirWagginston]

Actually, if the computing power growth scale keeps at the pace it's been in the last 30 years, they'll have a computer with the same computer power of a human male by 2035, female by 2038. Now, quantum computers may change that... quickly.

Aren't you a man? Whose side are you on?

[the_robot]

Aren't you a man? Whose side are you on?

Human male and female brains are different, I'm not saying females are smarter, but their brain works faster than the male brain.