New life forms in a test tube might not be science fiction anymore now that Craig Venter has created a synthetic chromosome... but breakthrough or threat to humanity? This article in the Guardian hints at both potential for solutions to climate change and new weapons for bio-terrorism. Sounds like a topic we'll be hearing more about with regard to political oversight on this kind of research akin to stem cell research and attack of the clones.
Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth.
I'll have to learn more before I develop an informed opinion, but this may have tremendous implications across disciplines. What do readers think?
