Topic: Scientists create animal with artificial genetic code

Do I hear Navi travelling towards us in the distance?

Honestly, this is quite fascinating. The manipulation of genetic codes has always piqued my interest, and I can only see radical new possibilities to which this and other recent studies will lead to. And yes, they will be controversial. Massively controversial. I can imagine religion will play an important role in the opposition of artificially created and/or altered biological beings. It will be very hard to swallow for most people, as there still remains a barrier of the mind's imaginative and emotional properties from the strictly physical nature of basic life.

Not to mention experiments inevitably leading their slow course towards human applications. Only fictional thoughts can imagine the conflict and calamity it would bring. I really am excited to see where genetic exploration will lead to in the future, especially in these highly exponential times of progress. In turn, I doubt the human mentality (even mine, depending on the situation) will be able to progress as quickly morally as these technologies will in order to enable society to continue supporting these practices.

I do have to admit admit I kind of want one of South Korea's glow in the dark Beagles And for now, lets hope that our future overlords are robots and not genetically improved humans But anyways, this is pretty cool.

Win.

Jurassic Park FTW!

This is one step closer to Ian Malcom's Chaos Theory. The potential is enormous, but the negative consequences that will result from this genetic splicing are too dire to even comprehend. Dinosaurs being brought back to life? It's a stretch, but with today's scientific breakthroughs, anything's possible!

Why are scientists trying to play "god" here? Life should be left alone. There is no reason for genetic manipulation.

I read this in my head with Dr. Zoidberg's _{(Don't know if that's how you spell his name. Sad, since I'm a big Futurama fan.)} voice. Really funny.

Other than feeding an unsustainable population, you mean?

Other than using the research to help cure previously incurable diseases, you mean?

Other than furthering the collective knowledge of human kind, you mean?

And overpopulating the planet by eradicating all forms of death

we're just gonna ruin this topic with Jurassic Park quotes

"You stepped on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could, and before you even knew what you had, you patented, and packaged it and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox. And now, you're selling it, you wanna sell it."

How does creating artificial DNA (which could lead to the creation of artificial life) beneficial to society? It's the same as the whole cloning debate from 10 years ago.

This. Life and death is a cycle that should not be tampered with. We are born, we live, then we die. There are no alternatives. Prolonging life just leads to suffering. Would you want to live over 100 years old, your body withered, your heart weak, your bones frail?

No, I'd much rather live merely 20 years due to an inevitable genetic disorder than live a full life in which I can actually take part as an equal in society. Honestly, there are many more effective ways to control population than to leave people to suffer and die, but I'm sure this obvious matter is too difficult for the average parents to understand.

While the knowledge and ability gained from things like this are good in themselves, I really don't have a reason to trust anyone to use this discovery for ethical purposes.

stuff like this creeps me out. seems like we're getting too smart for our own good.

Hey guys, just wanted to chime in on a bit of my knowledge here. Creating Artificial DNA isn't really "new" persay, its very similar to combining DNA or reorganizing it. That is done almost every day and most meat that we eat now adays comes from genetically altered animals, everything from McDonalds to name brand meats have come from a genetically altered animal, usually. DNA isn't all that complicated when you get right down to it. it consists of four nitrogenous bases, and some other compunds to hold them together. The human genome has been completely mapped, we know where everything is, and what almost everything does. what the amazing thing about this story is that, if they really did make it from scratch, that they were able to combine known genes from many animals (that is the only way besides randomly guessing, its not science) and get them to work properly. now i haven't completely finished the article yet, i just wanted to make a quick post. but if this animal can grow and reproduce sexually (scientific,,dont be weird pervs like some forums) that would be very cool. As for those in the comments talking about "playing God" i see where your coming from, but why would God give us this power if he didnt want us to utilize it. genetic science is an amazing thing, and is the only known way to cure several diseases so far. They help us survive better by altering our food. Some genius in asia has genetically altered rice, to have all the vitamins you will need for your day. now poor families will be better nourished, and be able to live better lives. granted this has not been implemented yet, but the science is there, why not use it? it literally hurts no one

Except for the fact than all organisms are constantly changing all the time.

_{born this way}

And just to be clear, i wasn't trying to bash anybody for not knowing about the stuff i said, I just wanted to tell you guys that gentic manipulation has been going on for awhile, if any of you get the chance, you should watch GATTACA, its a great movie, and possibly where our world is headed, not that its necessarily a bad thing.

Are you the person who wrote that article? Just curious. How did you find out about our little discussion, let alone on a Nintendo fansite?

You're right. We should go one step further and just get rid of doctors entirely. Those idiots dare to save lives, after all.

And then we should probably participate in routine population culls.

Because humane population control is impossible, right?

And someone you know has never undergone anything medical to assist in living?

Exactly, at 100, you can't do much but sit around and lie in bed. At that point, you're still alive because you like suffering or you're trying to make a world record. Personally I would ask the doctors to 'kill' me.

Personally, I don't think you have the right to comment on living at 100 just so someone can make a record.