First Ever Synthetic Cell. Fascinating.

[Fkeu'itan]

Originally Posted by Na'vi_supporter

What about designing organisms that can clean some types of pollution or producing replacement of oil?

I personally believe we should be finding ways to resolve this problem via means of reduction and resolution, not artificially producing things that can sort things out for us.

It's like introducing more spiders to control the flies. But then you have a spider problem...

Stopping experimenting with things we don't know for sure means we will remain in our scientific knowledge at same level forever. Oh and in this time we have very wastefull technologies we can't stop now...I think it would be even worse to stop than to continue the way to new discoveries

I don't believe experimentation is a bad thing, but I do believe there's a limit to what you should be experimenting with.

[Na'vi_supporter]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

I don't believe experimentation is a bad thing, but I do believe there's a limit to what you should be experimenting with.

Yes, I think that there should be some limits/control too. But what makes me worried is the fact who will say where is the border line? Where should we stop? And one more non-trivial question, what if the major discovery/solution is just behind corner and we won't look there?

[Fkeu'itan]

Originally Posted by Na'vi_supporter

Yes, I think that there should be some limits/control too. But what makes me worried is the fact who will say where is the border line? Where should we stop? And one more non-trivial question, what if the major discovery/solution is just behind corner and we won't look there?

Indeed, this is true, it would be very difficult to draw the line. As for that second part, you could also argue that the largest global disaster is just around the corner, yet it was prevented because we didn't look there.

It's purely a potential risk vs potential reward game.

[ZenitYerkes]

Originally Posted by Na'vi_supporter

Where should we stop?

For every, every single decision we take there is an affected part and a favored part.

There is no "it's good for all" decisions; in that cases we don't take into consideration the affected part. Because it's against our interests or it's not of our concern.

EG globalization seems to be such a good thing for us and global market; yet nobody thinks on the Third World. Mostly, because they have no voice on developed countries. But heck, let's enjoy it till it lasts.

We should stop when the affected part is greater than the obtained benefits. Even if it's against our interests; because we're not the only living thing on this planet. We're responsible of it, and what we make of it.

[Taw Makto]

Originally Posted by ZenitYerkes

We can reduce and take risks; but if things go wrong they could have lethal consequences. It's the prize of being such arrogant species.

...Or an inquisitive, bold and courageous species. We have much to be ashamed of, we humans. But I think we also have much to be proud of, if that's the right word. We've come a long way, especially in the last century.

Things can and often do go wrong. I think it's worth noting, though, that although we acquired nuclear weaponry in 1945, it has not been used in an armed conflict since. No guarantee that will last forever, but 65 years is a pretty good track record for what is also a most quarrelsome species.

This synthetic cell is just the surface of what's going on in micro-biology. If they keep up the charge, one day we might re-grow limbs and remedy a whole slew of nasty human afflictions. It's easy to fear this - it does seem god-like. But I wouldn't worry too much about that sort of thing. We haven't even built our first real, full sized star yet.

[Tsawke`Iheyu]

Originally Posted by Taw Makto

Things can and often do go wrong. I think it's worth noting, though, that although we acquired nuclear weaponry in 1945, it has not been used in an armed conflict since. No guarantee that will last forever, but 65 years is a pretty good track record for what is also a most quarrelsome species.

Word. And that's why I have no doubt in what Mayan prophecies "sold" thousands of years ago about us approaching the climax of our knowledges in... 2012. Same thing The Island said and I Am Legend too about manipulation of cells which will result in total chaos. They play too much the role of some sort of God.

[Devourment]

This could either be the answer to the problem or the cause of another one, only time will tell which.

[Isard]

(this is just asking to turn into a religious debate... >.<)


Anyways, I beleive its a great step forward for us. As its been stated before in the thread, anything positive can be turned negative in the incorrect hands. (and tbh, somebody with no moral qualms would probably do something similar in the future anyway)

I am very, very excited about this.

[Spock]

It is indeed exciting. There needs to be a moritorium placed on the technology until society has caught up to an equally advanced stage. That's my view. To be honest I am really excited about this breakthrough, but there are some obvious ethical issues that are in the process of being discussed.

Would we really be playing god though? It depends on what logic you base your judgements on. One could argue that we are, whereas another could argue that it's natural in it's own right as evolution has created us to be this persevering. All I can say is that I wouldn't like to see it used for a few more decades.

[rapunzel77]

I would be very cautiously optimistic about this breakthrough. I see a lot of potential for something going horribly wrong. I also wonder how stable this synthetic cell is? Or can it metastasize and become a terrible cancer on the people it is meant to help. Granted, some of the therapies right now have that potential as well. I am concerned about "playing God" and I agree that it isn't of matter of can we do this, it is a matter of should we do this.

Advances in technology are good but not every advance is good. Making advances in technology without any moral sense is I believe a regression. We should always keep in mind the ethical and moral questions when advancing technology and science. This isn't a question of religion but of morals which are universal and are not religious in nature.

I am leery of messing with nature in this matter since we honestly don't know what we are dealing with. What sort of Pandora's box will it open? What new horrors will be produced?

These kinds of questions were raised often in early sci-fi and the Twilight zone. I like to think that these early stories were ways of warning us of the dangers.

So, we'll see. I hope that this is a positive development but I also think it needs to be broached with extreme caution.

[Loverofnature]

this is wrong, humans is not intended to play god, i strongly disagree with this

[Spock]

Originally Posted by Loverofnature

this is wrong, humans is not intended to play god, i strongly disagree with this

I would have loved this discovery a year ago. But now it's a threat to those I hold close to my hear. So I am very skeptical about it. I would only utilize the technology if it was to save humanity from total destruction.

[joeylovesgaia]

Originally Posted by Spock

I would have loved this discovery a year ago. But now it's a threat to those I hold close to my hear. So I am very skeptical about it. I would only utilize the technology if it was to save humanity from total destruction.

Ah, another person changed by Avatar? That movie has a way of messing with your head, huh?

[Spock]

Originally Posted by joeylovesgaia

Ah, another person changed by Avatar? That movie has a way of messing with your head, huh?

Yes, to quite a large degree. I used to argue fanatically from a scientific piont of view while ignoring morality and such. But no longer.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by Spock

Yes, to quite a large degree. I used to argue fanatically from a scientific piont of view while ignoring morality and such. But no longer.

This is very good Spock. The more I think about this synthetic cell, the more leery I am of it. I think that it might be going to far so I am more and more against it. Science is good and it has brought about many good discoveries and has increased our standard of living but they are more and more incapable of stopping to think about the ethical ramifications of what they are doing. This is disturbing because I don't think you can have honest science, especially dealing with manipulating genetics, without a strong moral center.