Man plays God, creates 'artificial' life

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   pisean282311posted 14 years ago

   Scientists announced a bold step on Thursday in the enduring quest to create artificial life. They've produced a living cell powered by manmade DNA.
   
   While such work can evoke images of Frankenstein-like scientific tinkering, it also is exciting hopes that it could eventually lead to new fuels, better ways to clean polluted water, faster vaccine production and more.
   
   Is it really an artificial life form?
   
   The inventors call it the world's first synthetic cell, although this initial step is more a re-creation of existing life - changing one simple type of bacterium into another - than a built-from-scratch kind.
   
   But Maryland genome-mapping pioneer J. Craig Venter said his team's project paves the way for the ultimate, much harder goal: designing organisms that work differently from the way nature intended for a wide range of uses. Already he's working with ExxonMobil in hopes of turning algae into fuel.
   
   "This is the first self-replicating species we've had on the planet whose parent is a computer," Venter told reporters.
   
   what are fellow hubbers views on above news article?

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      paarsurreyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi friend pisean282311
      
      The efforts of the Scientists are appreciated; if this could lead to finding solutions to the cure of diseases human beings are suffering. They have done it; with the knowledge they have acquired which have evolved in the human beings with the instruments and materials already evolved or in existence. This is not "creation" from annihilation; that is why it is called artificial or man-made with all the merits and demerits of human makings.
      If it is good for the humanity and serves them most; we thank the scientists  we also thank the Creator- God Allah YHWH for enabling human beings to do it.
      
      Thanks
      
      I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

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         Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I don't think that you will find any reference to religious identities on the patent paperwork
         
         I doubt any of those parties can legitimately take or be apportioned any credit for this event

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            paarsurreyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Nevermind

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         Butterman Jonesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Ceartin things are better left alone. I for one have seen enough science fiction movies to know what this will lead to- a lone surviver battered and bruised with an empty clip for his pistol and a burning scientific reasearch facility behind him. and maybe a blonde woman on his arm ( the scientist of course)

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            pisean282311posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            

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               Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I would be concerned that after having its genetic structure unlocked and manipulated so-to-speak that it would not evolve into something different than it starts off being. Like some viruses do.
               
                 But we can have confidence in science to not make any mistakes with its first attempt...right? 
                 Hope they have an antidote before it is turned loose??

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      (Q)posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Once again, religionists will scatter in panic mode to come up with some sort of biblical scripture to once again dig their cults out of yet another contradictory abyss.

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         paarsurreyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hi friends
         
         I applaud the Scientists who did this thing.
         
         I don't think, it is in any way linked with the Skeptics that they pose it like it is their victory over others.As a Scientist has no specific gender; a Scientist could be a male or a female; similarly a Scientist is a Scientist could be a Theist more likely than a Skeptic.
         
         What part did the Skeptics play in it?
         
         It is a part of our evolution set by the Creator-God Allah YHWH who created the Universe and in it life as set by Him. Praise be to Him.
         
         Thanks
         
         I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

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            (Q)posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That is primarily the result of believing in gods.
            
            
            
            That would be the way a believer would view such a thing, as some sort of victory over their Bronze Age myths and superstitions. It isn't. It is simply an understanding of the world around us, something that is void in the minds of believers.
            
            
            
            No, scientists aren't more likely to be Theist.
            
            
            
            Placing hands firmly over the eyes and ears and shouting, "LALALALALALALALA!"

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      True Truthseekerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This in no way lend credence to atheism, it took INTELLIGENT input, to an already existing lifeform.

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         wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         And what lifeform would that be?  My understanding is that a cell without any DNA was used as a building block and DNA that had been built in the lab was inserted.  A cell with no DNA cannot feed or reproduce - it is not alive, and certainly the chemicals and such used to construct the DNA strand were not alive.

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         paarsurreyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I agree and appreciate the efforts of the Scientists who were actively engaged in it; but I agree with you that it does not lend any credence to atheism; the reason accurately mentioned by you, Thanks
         
         I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

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            Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Please use reason instead of blind faith in the Christian bible Usmanali.

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            Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Who said it had to give credence to Atheism.

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   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Fantastic evolutionary step.... Can I have mine with Wings?

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   Rishy Richposted 14 years ago

   Gr8 news...two thumbs up for those scientists who are involved in this project!

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   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   I find this exciting. My biggest wonder is the effect it will have on our understanding of life in relation to religion and our origins.

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      pisean282311posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      @kirstenblog how do u think it would effect?

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      paarsurreyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi friend kirstenblog
      
      What better you are excited for; it won't change any dimension?
      
      Thanks

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         Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Of course it will - it is another step to proving there is no Creator. I am sure you will fight and cause conflict to argue against it though. After all - your irrational belief is more important than anything else.
         
         You have to rationale or reason to your statements.If you start using reason and rational thought instead of faith you will be able to comprehend - possibly. No compulsion, but perhaps - it will cause less conflicts?

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            Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            If I spent  years studying eveything that you have done in your lifetime and learned how to imulate a few of those things that you have done... Would that prove that you didn't do those things after all?
            
              There is no proof for or against a creator.
              There is proof that a story as told contains false information.
            
            Parable # 148
               If I tell a story about gravity and I say that the apple fell streight up into the sky due to the earths gravity; and this is proven to be false, does that prove that gravity does not exist??

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      TMMasonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Probrably not much Kristn.
      
      They have a long way to go before they create life and everything else, from nothing.
      
      And again, it seems to me that two scientists in a lab creating life is the definition of, "intelligent design".

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   SpanStarposted 14 years ago

   Has there ever been anything that at some point and time mankind hasn't tried to exploit for selfish gains?

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      Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Was the internet (in which you frequent) not an attempt to make a selfish business gain?
      
      Was the publisher of the book (from which you preach) not attempting to make a profit from selling it to you?

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   SpanStarposted 14 years ago

   It would seem you're making my point Pearldiver, there is nothing man won't exploit for profit.  So whatever good is developed we can expect some where down the lined someone going to alter it, change it just like we do illegal drugs today.

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      pisean282311posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      @spanstar well we cant stop inventing something just bcoz it might get exploited..we wuld still be in jungle if that wuld have been our thinking pattern..isn't it?...i agree with u that human's selfish motive would exploit anything ..but that is part of the game...

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   SpanStarposted 14 years ago

   Pisean282311,
   
   Man's technology is moving faster then man's maturity and if man is allowed to run wild then the damage he does can be earth shattering. A-Bomb, Nuclear Bomb.
   
   If man had the ability to created humanbeings someone would want to create a race of superhumans and the rest of us would suffer because of this.
   
   We can't be trusted with everything that comes along.

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      Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good Point..... But don't worry
      You can tell them apart from us
      They have 'E' on their profiles

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   It's a nice advancement, it's only a matter of time before it's used for corrupt practices.
   
   Man playing God is played every damn time a man and woman have sexual intercourse.
   
   Why science find a need to replicate this process in any manner is automatically ill-conceived.

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   zampanoposted 14 years ago

   There is no such thing as "artificial" life.
   Life is whatever creature that can assimilate nutriments and reproduce.
   Be it created by Gods, Man or Devils.

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    alternate poetposted 14 years ago

    I sometimes think that God in creating man somewhat overestimated his ability.
    Oscar Wilde

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       mrpopoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hah I love Mr. Wilde. Nice quote.

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    Jeramiposted 14 years ago

    Mankind can manipulate the elements, and bake a cake but we can not create the elements to make Ice-cream
    
       parable # 149

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       wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Careful, Jerami - although alchemists tried and failed for centuries to change one element to another, we now know how to do that.  Fusion and/or fission reactions are a big, big start.

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    Twenty One Daysposted 14 years ago

    Now this is scary. Changing nature to suit mans purposes?
    Man has created nothing without the elements and tools already created. A brave step, but one that will be the end of human individuality as we know it...

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    optimus grimlockposted 14 years ago

    Well if we wanted to feel gods wrath this is a step in the right direction!!!!!!!!

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    Tycameronposted 14 years ago

    yeah

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    Jeramiposted 14 years ago

    Have scientists ever done anything right the first time?
    I hope they keep this one in the Lab until they are sure of what will happen when it runs into unforeseen happenstance

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       Twenty One Daysposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       excellent point!

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       (Q)posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yes. Religions have yet to demonstrate anything right, ever.

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       psycheskinnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Um, science create better nutrition, safer food, vaccination and a number of otehr great blessings.  Yes, it often does go right the first time.  i for one would not orefer to live a pre-scientific era lifestyle with plagues and women routinely dying during childbirth.

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          Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          i agree with the not wanting to be around before the awakening of science thing.  But they seldom got it right on their first attempt. I think.  I would skeard of them making something and goin out and dumping it in the ocean where they can't ever get it back.

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          Disappearingheadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Don't forget science gave us the hovercraft too.

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          Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          In these cases I would say that science showed us a way to..
          how to preserve food, make us a little sick from something so we won't do it again; and fore sure the light bulb is a great one, and lets not forget the weedeater.
          
             The biggie was the computer;  Kinda like the BIG BANG theory for science.  We haven't heard all of it yet and it's still ringing in our ears  BBAANNNGGgggg

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    Tycameronposted 14 years ago

    hey i like the pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Tycameronposted 14 years ago

    death is pretty some times

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       Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Actually I have known a couple of encounters that given that death was unavoidable, did turn into a spiritual experience.
       
         I would have to elaberate that the death itself was not pretty but for a fleeting moment ???  Well it is imposible to describe and give it justice.

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    yoshi97posted 14 years ago

    The only thing that will save mankind from destroying itself is a constant investment in peaceful science.
    
    Are we playing God when we do these things? Heck no! We're being scientists, and scientists work to understand nature and imitate how it works. In so doing, we advance our species up the evolutionary ladder of knowledge.
    
    There is no 'god' in a conversation like that. And if there were, remember how the south pacific islanders thought we were gods as we landed our airplanes on their islands during World War II.
    
    Perhaps we will arrive at the end of the tunnel someday and discover that 'god' is nothing more than a being who has advanced way beyond our current means.
    
    To me, this new discovery offers the hope that we as man might someday actually understand everything around us, and learn how to make it work for the benefit of all mankind.

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    sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

    
    
    
    
    

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       Disappearingheadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Excuse me for being thick, but who's the beardy in the first picture?

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          sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          The guy scientist who made it possible.

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             Disappearingheadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Duh.

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