Synthetic eukaryotic genome nearly complete

[Stranger]

Scientists are close to completing an entire synthetic genome for a microbe that has been used in bread, beer and wine making for more than five thousand years, paving the way for a realm of new organisms designed by the human hand.

Article (The Guardian): Synthetic genome nearly complete, paving way for bespoke organisms

Paper (Science): Design of a synthetic yeast genome

[ekim]

I wonder if the process can be weaponised too.

[SweetPea]

I'm generally agin anything to do with GMOs but this could actually be a saviour against the dreaded 'candida' which can cause so many problems from thrush to disorientation.

[Jack Knave]

I'll read it later, but I agree with Ekim it could be used to create some form of weaponry. These things usually are.

[Stranger]

I wonder if the process can be weaponised too.

I'm sure it could be. However, there are many far simpler ways to kill people - including natural bio-agents and simpler genetic modification.

[Jack Knave]

Perhaps they could design a genome etc. to produce artificial meat or protein and so save us on all that methane and wasted cereal on cattle.