US gene pioneer creating artificial life

[tickler]

Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth.|shocking|
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20....climatechange

[virgohippy]

could unlock the door to new energy sources and techniques to combat global warming

chassis on which you could build almost anything. It could be a contribution to humanity such as new drugs or a huge threat to humanity such as bio-weapons

I dunno if it's worth it.

[Jim]

I don't think I get how an artificial life form could help global warming or be the door to new energy sources.

[Simon]

I didn't either, but...

Mr Venter believes designer genomes have enormous positive potential if properly regulated. In the long-term, he hopes they could lead to alternative energy sources previously unthinkable. Bacteria could be created, he speculates, that could help mop up excessive carbon dioxide, thus contributing to the solution to global warming, or produce fuels such as butane or propane made entirely from sugar.