By Kate Knibbs
Venter endorsed the idea of creating synthetic biological entities using digital technology, framing himself as a biological pioneer and challenging common conceptions of what it means to be a living thing.
He named his talk "What Is Life?" after famed physicist Erwin Schrodinger's pivotal lecture of the same name, belying a strong desire to make a significant contribution -- Schrodinger inspired Watson and Crick's DNA discovery, so Venter is aiming high.
Venter is known for pushing past limits: he deciphered the genome of the first free-living organism. But what Venter is suggesting now truly pushes the envelope, and would be a disruptive moment in science: he wants to create a machine capable of translating digital DNA sequences into the real deal, synthesizing biological inventions -- and he wants to do it within a year, according to the Irish Times.
Whether or not Venter's time-table is plausible, his goal is within reach. Although it sounds fantastical to imagine digital code converted into biological entities, scientists have most of the basics down. The fundamental science behind it is akin to making physical products with a 3D printer.
Does this mean a Frankenstein's creature looms in our future? After all, if complex genetic codes are available through simple e-mail, the information could fall prey to malicious hackers or oppressive governments and end up used for nefarious ends. The digitized nature of the genetic information means that it is vulnerable to the proliferating number of methods to hack and obtain code.
It is impossible for regulators to keep pace with scientific innovation happening at this pace, but considering Europe's aversion to genetically modified crops and the United States' ambivalent stance towards stem cell research, experimenting with unique biological entities might give governing bodies pause and draw in strenuous regulatory attention.
Venter explained how this kind of synthesizing could save countless lives by offering a rapid-fire way to create virus vaccines, but this technology could also manufacture the most potent viruses known to man. Like nuclear energy, compelling risks shadow its enormous potential for good.
Using digital DNA sequencing to create synthesized entities may take longer than a year, but scientists already have the tools necessary, and the potential for good will keep spurring them towards a breakthrough. After all, if the technology is used correctly it could cure the world of its gasoline dependency by creating biofuel, provide low-cost, high-nutrition food for impoverished areas, or prevent a global pandemic.
At the same time, the same sort of genetic tinkering could unleash a deadly virus or propagate the adoption of eating genetically modified foods with potentially adverse health consequences.
The most amazing scientific discoveries often provoke outcry and concern. Venter's powerful proposition may require strict oversight and a cautious hand to guide the program, and though parts of it sound amazing, it will never be entirely risk-free. Like splitting the atom, digitizing genetic code carries a host of extremely serious implications and possibilities.
One scientist's vision for the future hinges on the idea of DNA as software and the creation of synthetic biological entities, and his ideas inspire both hope and serious ethical quandaries.
Genome expert Dr. J. Craig Venter gave a speech outlining his vision for the future of genetics at Trinity College Dublin, and the scientist didn't shy away from bold pronouncements. Venter described DNA as human software and suggested downloadable versions of genetic code could eradicate viruses, create new foodstuffs, foster renewable energy sources and generally transform life.Venter endorsed the idea of creating synthetic biological entities using digital technology, framing himself as a biological pioneer and challenging common conceptions of what it means to be a living thing.
He named his talk "What Is Life?" after famed physicist Erwin Schrodinger's pivotal lecture of the same name, belying a strong desire to make a significant contribution -- Schrodinger inspired Watson and Crick's DNA discovery, so Venter is aiming high.
Venter is known for pushing past limits: he deciphered the genome of the first free-living organism. But what Venter is suggesting now truly pushes the envelope, and would be a disruptive moment in science: he wants to create a machine capable of translating digital DNA sequences into the real deal, synthesizing biological inventions -- and he wants to do it within a year, according to the Irish Times.
Whether or not Venter's time-table is plausible, his goal is within reach. Although it sounds fantastical to imagine digital code converted into biological entities, scientists have most of the basics down. The fundamental science behind it is akin to making physical products with a 3D printer.
Does this mean a Frankenstein's creature looms in our future? After all, if complex genetic codes are available through simple e-mail, the information could fall prey to malicious hackers or oppressive governments and end up used for nefarious ends. The digitized nature of the genetic information means that it is vulnerable to the proliferating number of methods to hack and obtain code.
It is impossible for regulators to keep pace with scientific innovation happening at this pace, but considering Europe's aversion to genetically modified crops and the United States' ambivalent stance towards stem cell research, experimenting with unique biological entities might give governing bodies pause and draw in strenuous regulatory attention.
Venter explained how this kind of synthesizing could save countless lives by offering a rapid-fire way to create virus vaccines, but this technology could also manufacture the most potent viruses known to man. Like nuclear energy, compelling risks shadow its enormous potential for good.
Using digital DNA sequencing to create synthesized entities may take longer than a year, but scientists already have the tools necessary, and the potential for good will keep spurring them towards a breakthrough. After all, if the technology is used correctly it could cure the world of its gasoline dependency by creating biofuel, provide low-cost, high-nutrition food for impoverished areas, or prevent a global pandemic.
At the same time, the same sort of genetic tinkering could unleash a deadly virus or propagate the adoption of eating genetically modified foods with potentially adverse health consequences.
The most amazing scientific discoveries often provoke outcry and concern. Venter's powerful proposition may require strict oversight and a cautious hand to guide the program, and though parts of it sound amazing, it will never be entirely risk-free. Like splitting the atom, digitizing genetic code carries a host of extremely serious implications and possibilities.
