Artificial life? Artificial cancer? Fraud?

United States
October 7, 2007 5:56pm CST
Which is it? I sure can't tell! To find out what I'm asking about click this link. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange A team of scientists is set claim the invention of artificial life. Well, I don't really think so. Actually, they really have only (maybe) created an artificial chromosome that they intend to put in a bacteria that will then take over the bacteria. Life? That's how cancer works isn't it? Haven't they really created some wierd sort of bacteria cancer if they have done what they are saying? What do you say? Is this likely a new form of life? Bacteria cancer? Fraud? I'm at a loss. What's your guess or opinion?
4 people like this
3 responses
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Well, I can by no means fathom how they think this would be artificial life by any means. It could be classified as a designer gene or something of that nature, and I have seen way too many bad movies to be comfortable with that prospect. I am convinced that sooner or later one of these bright boys is going to let something out that will decimate the population and give a whole new meaning to survival of the fittest. As to the Global Warming aspect, I am at a complete loss as to how that would even apply there, even if man COULD have an effect on the natural warming and cooling cycles which I think are slim to none. I don't know about fraud, but as far as rewriting the human genome, I think there are many years or trial and mostly error, and I doubt that they ever get the thing completely figured out.
2 people like this
• United States
8 Oct 07
Yes, it does not seem like life to me, either. Calling it a designer gene does make a lot of sense. I thought of fraud when they brought up the global warming aspect. There is not any life form, new or old, that can change the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth. Anyone who could really come up with a designer gene could figure that out.
3 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Jan 08
This is a very interesting article. My inputs are from an AI perspective from another level as I am involved with a company that provides business solutions that are implicitly enhanced by AI using neural networks etc Regardless of the end result of what AI enhanced models can achieve; the initial starting point is a human generated structure (in my case algorithmic codes and rules) that then uses the base "instructions" provided to take on patterns of it's own. All of these patterns are somewhat unpredictable over the longer term as depending on the base framework; the system will eventually take on a life of its own and generate results or outputs that may generally defy human logic. Yet from the AI's perspective, it is most certainly logical. Keep in mind this is in relation to a purely machine or computer based scenario. When you add biometrics into the mix my concern is that it becomes an even greater unknown into what the end result could actually end up being. reference is made in that article to a fifth of the genetic make-up being removed for example. So it has been deemed as not relevant? Based on what? Are we really that advanced to know what is crucial to the organisms entire structure and what isn't? Again, the end result of the creation is what concerns me. I am all for advancements in technology and science; but this is dangerous ground in my opinion. The only person who should be playing God is God!
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jan 08
Even the things I read about in the popular press as to genetic experimentation are pretty scary. Cross species genetic transmigration has been with us for a few years now. I wonder if God had it in his plan for us to do that? Did you see the story about the cats that glow in the dark? It was a side effect to some other gene from some kind of phosphorence jelly fish. Already agriculture products have different genes transmigrated to them in order to enhance their commercial viability. What other unexpected side effects are going to emerge?
3 people like this
• United States
23 Jan 08
I have not seen "I am Legend". Now, I'll have to be sure to see it! I definitely agree we could accidently wipe ourselves out. Curiosity and the cat. BTW: Know the story about the debate among scientists who invented the A-bomb just before they set off the first one? Some of them thought the A-bomb would start off an uncontrolable chain reaction in the hydrogen that is a part of the atmosphere of the earth. It was thought the entire planet might disappear in a flash in the blink of an eye. They could not settle the disagreement to their satisfaction so set it off anyway. This story is told in the book,"The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhoades. If you like history and physics, this is an incredible book combining both.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Jan 08
I was not aware of this story in history at all. That is sure one heck of a way to settle a disagreement! I will check it out.....
@bcl_me (582)
• Philippines
23 Jan 08
God has given me the opportunity to embark on a journey that few men has ever dared to undertake. I am currently embarking to create an Artificial Life. I am writing to ask you to prayerfully consider joining my team through your support. First, please partner with me in praying for the success project. Second, please consider supporting me financially for this outreach. The cost of this project is $3M. Support the Artificial Life Project Support the Life of the Future Pls donate small amounts of money to support the project. For more info pls visit http://www.artificiallife.bitsystemsph.com