“Playing God” -Scientists in Final Stage of Creating Man-made Life

As in the days of Noah Genesis 6:12 God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Ed. Note: Man is working on synthetic lifeforms and bio tech. We know that demons can possess both man and beast so my question is - just how much biological material is needed in an artificial creation of man before what man has made can be possessed by a demonic spirit? Revelation 13:15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. THE DAILY GALAXY NETWORK - By Rebecca Sato - June 21, 2007 Dr Craig Venter, who has led the private sector effort to sequence the human genome, has been working for years to create a man-made organism. He says his company Synthetic Genomics Inc, has nearly completed the journey to create the world’s first free-living artificial organism. According to Venter, it will only be a few more weeks before manmade life is unveiled in his very own laboratory. “It will be one of the bright milestones in human history, changing our conceptual view of life.” Said Venter. Others have a less “bright” view of Venter’s work—they say it could be potentially dangerous. It has been suggested that this type of technology could turn out to be the scary side of “playing God”, since it invariably suggests the chance that dangerous organisms could be inadvertently (or purposefully) unleashed on a world unprepared to deal with the consequences. Because there is no precedence, scientists don’t know for sure what kind of negative impact is possible. While control measures have been suggested, such as using software to spot purchases of DNA sequences that could be used as weapons, there is no comprehensive regulation in the field of synthetic life. Watchdogs say we’re taking a big gamble that the science will stay a step ahead of nefarious uses. Even if artificial biology could be kept under control and appropriately monitored—something many say is near impossible—activists and researchers are concerned that the technology may be exclusively locked up for commercial gain. Synthetic Genomics Inc, has filed controversial patents on synthetic bugs that would make fuels such as ethanol or hydrogen, and likely make a lot of money for those involved, as well. It has also filed an international application at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) which names more than 100 countries where the institute may seek monopoly patents. The J Craig Venter Institute's US patent application claims exclusive ownership of a set of essential genes and a synthetic "free-living organism that can grow and replicate" made using those particular genes. In early June, the ETC Group, a watchdog organization based in Canada, which monitors developments in biotechnology, launched a campaign against Venter’s patent application. They called on patent offices to reject applications on life forms. ETC’s Jim Thomas says that Venter’s company is poised to become the “Microbesoft” of synthetic biology. The company announced a deal June 13 with energy giant BPPLC to identify and modify naturally occurring microbes with the capability to turn coal or oil below the earth’s surface into cleaner fuel. Microorganisms “have the potential to provide all the transportation fuel we need in the U.S.,” says Venter. “I joke that I’m going from the gene king to the oil king.” The thing is, no one really thinks he’s joking. Venter says he's been expecting attacks on his work. "Patents are a hot word, and people are afraid of synthetic organisms." He says this research is merely the "tip if the iceberg", and future possibilities include bugs that clean up pollution, or signal when they detect explosives. Indeed, the technology may end up providing beneficial solutions to some of the planet's biggest problems, and Venter has won kudos for bringing together a panel of bioethicists, religious leaders, and biowarfare experts to study the issues. The consensus for that particular group was that the research shouldn't be stopped, but that synthetic organisms must be controlled and contained. According to Venter, Environmental groups shouldn’t be fighting his work, but rather be “ecstatic about what we are doing, since we provide one of the clear alternatives to burning oil and coal.” Very few would argue that there are no potential goods coming out of this type of work, but experts strongly caution that the potential negative consequences cannot be ignored. “While creating new life may not be playing God,” says Arthur L. Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, “it has revolutionary implications for how we see ourselves. When we can synthesize life, it makes the notion of a living being less special.” And there’s a perception that synthetic biologists may be “manipulating nature without knowing where they are going.” he says. “There are arrogant scientists, and our friend Venter may be one of them.” http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/06/playing-god-sci.html#more FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of religious, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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