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Human being may soon be able to create new forms
of life -- living organisms from scratch with chemicals
in the laboratory. A team of sientists have come close to
determining the minimum number of genes needed for life
to arise.
Researchers at Celera Genomics in Rockville, Maryland and
other laboratories concluded that about 300 genes are
needed for a form to pass as 'alive' - a state defined as
an ability to reproduce and respond to the environment.
These obsevations and findings may shed light on the
origin of life and evolution.
The interesting aspect of this research work is that the
scientist may in future be able to engineer life in the
laboratory from essential chemicals ingredients. This is
different from genetic engineering which alters existing
organisms.
This ability of the scientists could be a force of
liberation or may sow the seeds of destruction. Cells
could be designed to clean up toxic wastes with
unprecedented efficiency or could be programmed to serve
as horrendous biological weapons.
Now, the prospects of scientists becoming 'creators', in
itself carries potential for destruction.
Many of the scientists who were at the
Institute for Genomic Research, founded by Rockville, had
agreed not to attempt a replay of Genesis until more
public discussion took place. However, an Ethics Panel
report of the institute found no compelling reason to
stop researches from making new life forms if scientific
and ethical implications were carefully weighed.
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