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Scientists create first living organism containing artificial DNA

Christ4Ever

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Below is a copy of a Foxnews article under “Health” which was taken from a Wall Street Journal article.

Which leads me to some questions whose positions I wonder as a Christian I ask. Should I, we be concerned with this or is this just another sign of the times, which I truly believe is classified by some as "end of days".

Is this wrong? Is man delving into areas of “life” that could be considered solely the purview of God?

Some might say because the knowledge is available and yet to be determined “good or bad” for what it can lead to. Is this okay?

ARTICLE:

Scientists create first living organism containing artificial DNA


Researchers for the first time created microbes containing artificial DNA, expanding the universal genetic code that guides life. The advance one day could lead to new antibiotics, vaccines and other medical products not possible with today’s bioscience.

In a report published Wednesday in Nature, the scientists said they created two additions to the normal genetic code, and then prompted bacteria to incorporate these pieces of man-made DNA with few ill effects.

“The cells recoginized it as natural,” said chemical biologist Floyd Romesberg at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., who led the research group.
The experiment demonstrates the feasibility of life-forms based on a different DNA code, independent experts said. Eventually scientists could use an expanded genetic code to design living cells that could make new medical compounds.

By one recent estimate, the market for biologic and protein-based therapies is expected to reach $165 billion a year by 2018.

“Most people thought this wasn’t possible,” said biochemist Steven Benner at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Fla., who wasn’t involved in the project. Many scientists assumed that a normal cell would ignore any imitation DNA. “He has gone inside a cell and gotten it to work and that is a shock,” said Dr. Benner.
 
Below is a copy of a Foxnews article under “Health” which was taken from a Wall Street Journal article.

Which leads me to some questions whose positions I wonder as a Christian I ask. Should I, we be concerned with this or is this just another sign of the times, which I truly believe is classified by some as "end of days".

Is this wrong? Is man delving into areas of “life” that could be considered solely the purview of God?

Some might say because the knowledge is available and yet to be determined “good or bad” for what it can lead to. Is this okay?

ARTICLE:

Scientists create first living organism containing artificial DNA


Researchers for the first time created microbes containing artificial DNA, expanding the universal genetic code that guides life. The advance one day could lead to new antibiotics, vaccines and other medical products not possible with today’s bioscience.

In a report published Wednesday in Nature, the scientists said they created two additions to the normal genetic code, and then prompted bacteria to incorporate these pieces of man-made DNA with few ill effects.

“The cells recoginized it as natural,” said chemical biologist Floyd Romesberg at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., who led the research group.
The experiment demonstrates the feasibility of life-forms based on a different DNA code, independent experts said. Eventually scientists could use an expanded genetic code to design living cells that could make new medical compounds.

By one recent estimate, the market for biologic and protein-based therapies is expected to reach $165 billion a year by 2018.

“Most people thought this wasn’t possible,” said biochemist Steven Benner at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Fla., who wasn’t involved in the project. Many scientists assumed that a normal cell would ignore any imitation DNA. “He has gone inside a cell and gotten it to work and that is a shock,” said Dr. Benner.

Man has always manipulated life even from ancient times. As long as it doesn't create human beings or babies I can't see a problem. At this stage it seems it is restricted to new antibiotics, vaccines etc.
 
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