Scientists Create Synthetic Organism!!
The news is so overwhelming, I am almost numb! It is difficult to say what should be the right reaction to this event.
The debate about cloning and genetic research has been raging along for quite some time now. With new developments taking place in genetic research, this news was bound to come. But I had not expected it to arrive so soon. Subconsciously, I had assumed it would take several decades, if not a century or two, for man to achieve this. So, reading this news was indeed stunning.
I was stunning in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side it opens limitless possibilities for the benefit of mankind. For e.g., the article mentions a possibility of creation of artificial algae that would convert carbon dioxide from atmosphere in to fuel. Million other possibilities would open up. However, at the same time, there will be perils more than one could imagine today. My mind shudders at the thought of epidemics of artificially created micro-organisms.
Every development that man has made has been put to good and evil uses. So doubtlessly, the invention of "artificial life" will also have it's evil effects - unintentional and intentional. And mankind has to be prepared for it. For the march of science cannot be halted - even if brings with it possibilities of annihilation.
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