Synthetic biology

[rov1100]

This science allows whole genes to be extracted and inserted into another species. Some strange occurrences have come from this. On a Horizon program they took genes from a spider that produced the tougher than steel spider webbing and placed in into goat embroyos. The milk produced from this goat also contained this protein and they were able to extract it for industrial use.

A competition is held every year to come up with the best new solution synthetic biology could be put to.

Are we trying to play god or is this a big step forward in genetic engineering?

[rov1100]

The Horizon program mentioned above:

[pa___ul3]

I watched the programme too, it was very interesting but did provoke a few unnerving thoughts!
I'm not religious so the idea of 'playing god' isn't something that bothers me, it's the power that this science could have, we saw it had massively beneficial potential, cures for cancer etc. but I just think this could be another example of science playing right into the hands of the malevolent. Our big brains could be pushing it too far!

[Graham-W]

On the same Horizon scientists had developed a yeast which fermented sugars from biomass into diesel. As fosil fuels begin to reach exhaustion we will need something like this. Not sure of the ethics of fermenting what could be used as food when a large percentage of the worlds population hasn't enough to eat though.
On a lighter note, Homer Simpson came up with the idea of a Spiderpig ages ago.

[Old_Geezer]

Define "playing God".

I'm sure it is a step forward in genetic engineering. I'm somewhat 'put out' about the morality of polluting kids' food (milk) with spider silk. I'm less concerned about bacteria or mould changes, although I think they should be kept in the lab and not released into the wild.

[LazyGun]

@Rov
"Are we trying to play god or is this a big step forward in genetic engineering?"

Kind of depends on whether you believe in god or not, at least for the first part of your comment ;)

Advances in knowledge and technology to manipulate genes and DNA have been huge. Synthetic biology offers some interesting opportunities, and broadly I think should be considered a big step forward.

[rowanwitch]

Imagine a cat with fur that had the irridescence of a hummingbirds feathers... or naturally pink poodles... to hell with new drugs... and acting god... the possiblities for making the world prettier are endless...... removes tongue from cheek

[LazyGun]

@Rowanwitch - Its an interesting viewpoint. As a kind of science geek, one of the TV shows I enjoy is "The Big Bang Theory" - In one of the early episodes,One of the lead characters in the group of nerds proposes ( and goes on to develop) a glow in the dark goldfish nightlight! :)

[rowanwitch]

I could see a market for it... plenty of fish have bioluminescence... should be easy.. relatively .....

[beso]

It isn't really playing God. God only does random stuff with genes and most of it doesn't work. We only have the complexity we do now through more than four billion years of His largely ineffective tinkering.

This work is much more intelligent, reasoned and effective.

[beso]

If God applied a job in a genetic engineering facility He wouldn't even get an interview.