Filtered Judgment

First off, let me apologize for the long pause in my blogging. I really enjoy it; I don't know what came over me for the last two weeks. Especially with the much needed clarification of "the blog rules", you'd think I would be blogging all the time! This post initiates what I hope will be a rebirth in activity on this site. Ironically, that word "rebirth" is all too fitting for the subject of this post.

I'm going to talk about a scientific breakthrough that I read about on Endgadget's RSS feed(linked in the black and white pic). It is controversial, contains enormous potential, and could determine the shape of our lives in the future, from solving our world's problems to defining humanity. I am not a mad scientist. Craig Venter is.

J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., is regarded as one of leading scientists of the 21st century for his invaluable contributions in genomic research and is one of the most frequently cited scientists. He the figurehead of the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation, not-for-profit, research and support organizations dedicated to human genomic research, to exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics, and to seeking alternative energy solutions through microbial sources. In addition Dr. Venter is the founder and chairman of The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR).The successful completion of his research as well as that of many others, culminated with the publication of the human genome in February 2001. This is still considered to be one of the most significant breakthroughs in science to occur in our lifetime.

Craig Venter has been doing some very interesting work with the development of a synthetic chromosome. Now, my biology is a little rusty, but the chromosome is the part of our cells that contains the genetic code for the species, your genetic code. As early as Monday the 7th, we could hear the official announcement of his feat.

Venter took the genetic makeup of a bacterium and stripped it to the bare essentials required to sustain life. This required removing about of fifth of its genetic code. He injected it into the cell of another bacterium, effectively changing the species of that cell to that of the engineered chromosome. The synthetic genome would be dependent on the host cell to replicate itself and for the cell parts necessary for maintaining life. This means it isn't necessarily a true artificial life form, but it is a monumental step in that direction.

This is the difference between reading genetic code and writing genetic code.

The implications of this technology are massive. On a small scale, like bacteria, could we engineer a bacterium that would feed on the excess carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, ending the greenhouse effect? Could we eventually push this technology into the creation of a new life form, a new species?

Why stop there? What about genetic enhancement of the human genome, or the implications for medicine? Muwahaha!!

The ethical debate has not been overlooked either. The controversy a discovery this monumental would cause would mimic the level of the evolutionary debate. Nay, it would revive it, seeing as how the potential would include controlling our own evolution. We are not close to this, but it certainly seems more possible now.. Is it our right to play God?

We often talk of how technology, as in computers, robots, and other various devices will define our generation in the future. If this research were to be completed, I would consider this a viable form of life-changing technology. We build machines. We don't have the same direct role in creating life. Thats a big difference. If we were to build sentient life, it is comparable (in my mind) to building a supercomputer, or artificial intelligence. It certainly seems that this discovery's potential has me dreaming of the manifestation of every Scifi book plot I have ever read. Do you find it as interesting?