My question is this. If we are capable, in light of modern Genomics and Genetics to construct and design new biological functions otherwise not found in nature, then what are we really capable of?
Can we produce synthetic bacteria that are capable of converting our atmosphere, or maybe we can produce some form of fuel by utilizing the bacteria’s innate functions of metabolism and biological synthesis. Maybe we can
mass produce a kind of bacteria that mimics the functions of immune cells present in the human body. Maybe we can produce a kind of single celled organism that recognizes viruses or bacteria and destroys these pathogens.
Like a bacterial army that we control, by elaborating specific genes in their DNA and then multiplying the organism and letting it loose on our biological enemies present in contaminated water sources, in our own bodies, in hospitals
to ensure sterility. Is synthetic life our answer to autoimmune disorders, cancer, infection, sepsis, environmental pollution, contamination, global warming, energy crises, drug production, vaccine production, tissue replacement,
an alternative to stem cells.
Recently, in the course of 15 years worth of trials and mistrials, the work of American biologist Craig Venter has come to fruition in the form of a synthetic single celled organism. He and his team have produced a synthesized DNA sequence
that codes for a desired phenotype. He also spliced in a “genetic watermark” consisting of a sequence that is biologically useless but can be decoded and read, utilizing this as a sort of copyright to ensure that no one else can make a claim
on his life form.
Below is a link to an article regarding Dr, Craig Venter’s desire to patent his creation etc…
Other possibilities include the following:
Understanding chemotaxis (chemical communication) allows us to control the actions of bacteria by the use of chemicals that stimulate them to perform a specific task. We may utilize a swarm of bacteria to move around pre-constructed nano bricks
that can be used to build a microscopic structure that is more resistant to tension weight or other oppressing forces than we have ever discovered in nature. I’ve heard of mixing spider silk with goats milk by implanting spider silk genes into a goat utter
that creates a fiber that is stronger than steal. But maybe we can copy such structures and create a synthetic one that is even stronger and as such produce a new compound material, maybe out of some kind of metal or natural fiber that can be made into something we
can use to build usable materials for building, or otherwise in our day to day world.
Here is a link to a video on youtube showing a swarm of bacteria being used to move around a nanobrick.
If we can synthetically modify or create new bacteria. Maybe we can implement genes that control bacterial chemotaxis and create a toolset of chemotactic signals that we can combine with the use of a computer operated chemical releasing
system we can use to control the movements or functions of bacteria via programmed controls, like by use of a graphic interface or in the form of something resembling a controller and screen like in a videogame. Kind of like remotely operating
any mechanism, for example remote controlled robots of tanks.
If we can approach the world we can only see under a microscope in such a way it may be possible to create more complex and multicellular organisms. Maybe we can create more complex nanstructures and create complex and multi potential microscopic robots
to perform a variety of task from microscopic repair to dental work or even surgery, or closing up burst arteries. Maybe these robots would be able to be injected into the bloodstream and remove blood clots clogging up major arteries, causing
damage to the heart or otherwise repercussions of ischemia that we were previously only able to treat with drugs and now with the ability to operate surgically at a microscopic level in a programmed manner that would be possible on a real life
scale by using many robots or bacteria vs the use of only a few which would work too slowly to make a meaningful effect. Maybe we could implant microscopic electron microscopes that take pictures at a high frame rate producing a real time video
we can use to see inside blood vessels as if we literally stuck a fiberoptic cable in someone veins or arteries and filmed as we shoved it around the body.
If we can have this kind of control, we can probably do anything. Like using nanorobots or bacteria to perform an abortion or maybe now we’ll be able to splice in genes to the embryo of a child that is going to be born with a genetic defect unless the
original egg and sperm DNA are fixed.
Is the prospect of any of this possible at all??? Or is it all a pipe dream. Are we playing god? What is it that we are delving into? Should we go any further, or is it inevitable? What would happen if more people in the world understood the concept and
the actual possibility of the capabilities of modern science? Would the world revolt against science? Would they claim that man is playing god? If the Vatican knew, would they condemn all this research as they condemn abortion?
On a more sci-fi note.
Maybe now we’ll be able to create new organs or new types of appendeges, like an improved or stronger heart and muscular system. Maybe we can modify the genes in our own body and force a mutation that will produce a new part of our body,
like inserting a better engine into a car or a new transmission system. But one that is created using a person’s own DNA, Can we grow such new body parts on our own body. Can we produce organs and then implant them or transplant them?
There is stem cell research that is proving very practical by forcing stem cells to differentiate into cells of a desire tissue and creating an organ like the lived or the heart on a sort of scaffolding.
Here is a link to a talk given on a real world application of growing new organs:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue.html
Another interesting prospect is the idea that we are not actually completely individuals but we are beings whose neurons are sympathetic to the nervous system of other beings.
Here is a talk discussing this idea:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html
Many of the talks given on science at Ted.com perpetuate the idea that all these things really are possible and maybe we can use all this to do amazing things we would have previously nodded off as supernatural nonsense.
Thats about all I can think of for now. So, it would be pretty cool if you answered my question. Although I’ve presented more than a few.
Is synthetic life the answer to our problems?
Thanks.