Juan Enriquez: Decoding the future with genomics
TED: Ideas worth spreading Scientific discoveries, futurist Juan Enriquez notes, demand a shift in code, and our ability to thrive depends on our mastery of that code. Here, he applies this notion to the field of genomics.
TED: Ideas worth spreading Paul Rothemund writes code that causes DNA to arrange itself into a star, a smiley face and more. Sure, it's a stunt, but it's also a demonstration of self-assembly at the smallest of scales -- with vast implications for the future of making things.
Paul Rothemund: Casting spells with DNA
quote is from Genetic Algorithms by Chris LucasArt and Interactions
Organic Art The technique of Genetic Algorithms is widely applicable, even in art. If we code genes to refer to some feature of an image or music we can evolve extraordinary organically based artforms or music. Any system of building blocks can be readily adapted to these procedures and in this way transcend automatically the imagination of its creator. By constraining the system by the desired criteria (tests) we can allow design processes to evolve as a background task - resulting in quite unexpected innovations. Nature's way.
We must however be clear that we are not fully imitating nature here. Our artificial genes (called G-Types) have well defined correspondences with function or form (called P-Types). We also have only one chromosome of very limited length in our genome, whereas natural genotypes contain many chromosomes, each with thousands of genes.In nature genes translate to body form (phenotype or morphology) via a very complex interactive process, the form is itself an emergent phenomena dependent on the interaction of genes with themselves, with the cell chemistry and with the surrounding environment. We cannot predict this process adequately without understanding the nature of emergence. Genetic engineering, whilst highly useful, is a very dangerous process. The side effects of any changes to a such a complex and highly nonlinear process as life are, to say the least, unpredictable.
link: http://www.calresco.org/genetic.htm
Last edited by day; March 11th, 2010 at 12:23 PM.
James Watson: The double helix and today's DNA mysteries
TED: Ideas worth spreading Nobel laureate James Watson opens TED2005 with the frank and funny story of how he and his research partner, Francis Crick, discovered the structure of DNA.
James D. Watson, Nobel Laureate and Chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, describes the years leading up to his 1953 discovery of the structure of DNA, for which he won the Nobel Prize with Drs. Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins (1962). Dr. Watson explains that the key to uncovering the causes of brain disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, fragile X syndrome, Alzheimers, etc. is in our genes. He depicts the strides being made by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research institution in the biological sciences, as they search to find the genetic basis of
neurological disorders. CSHL scientists' seach to root out disease genes related to mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia...
UCSD Guestbook: Francis Crick
Join UCSD neuroscientist Nick Spitzer as he hosts Nobel Laureate and 1999's Steven W. Kuffler lecturer Francis Crick in a fascinating conversation about Dr.Crick's investigations of human consciousness. Series: "UCSD Guestbook" [4/1999] [Science] [Show ID: 4243]
Rosalind Franklin, DNA Discoveries in Science and Art
Len Horowitz - The DNA Protein Crystal Lattice
Emmy nominated NOVA doc on Rosalind Franklin, the unsung hero behind the discovery of the double helix.
Open Letter from World Scientists to All Governments
"We, the undersigned scientists, call for the immediate suspension of all environmental releases of GM crops and products, both commercially and in open field trials, for at least 5 years; for patents on living processes, organisms, seeds, cell lines and genes to be revoked and banned; and for a comprehensive public enquiry into the future of agriculture and food security for all."
read full letter here: Open Letter from World Scientists to All Governments
Last edited by day; March 11th, 2010 at 11:50 AM.
This article was translated from Bulgarian to English using Google Translate
What is the role of patents?
link to article translated to from Bulgarian to English here:Google Translate
В миналото никой не си е помислял да патентова растителни, животински или човешки гени или клетки.
In the past, no one has thought of patented plant, animal or human genes or cells.
Никой не е помислял, че животински или човешки ген може да бъде категоризиран като “откритие” или пък “интелектуална собственост” на някоя голяма фирма.
Nobody thought that animal or a human gene can be categorized as a "discovery" or "intellectual property" of a big company.
Но в днешно време патентите се прехвърлят от неживата материя към живи същества, с цел фирмите да предпазят финансовите си инвестиции в генното инженерство.
But nowadays patents are transferred from inanimate matter to living beings, to financial companies to protect their investment in genetic engineering.
Но дали е правилно да се патентова домат също както се патентова химикал или прахосмукачка?
But whether it is right to patent the same as tomato patented chemical or vacuum cleaner?
Ако животът се поставя на същата основа както патентованите стоки, ако вече не съществува граница между неживи предмети и живи същества, това би довело до драматични промени в нашите взаимоотношения с животните, растенията и самите нас.
If life is put on the same basis as proprietary products, if there is no longer the boundary between inanimate objects and living beings, this would lead to dramatic changes in our relationships with animals, plants and ourselves.
please read full article as it talks about the experience of GMO foods in Bulgaria and why they are now against GMO foods etc.
Last edited by day; March 11th, 2010 at 12:00 PM.
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