DIY Genetic Engineering

[Are_grits_groceries]

Meredeith Patterson is a computer programmer by day and biohacker at night. She is among a new breed of DIYers who are trying to do genetic engineering at the comfort of their own homes:

Using homemade lab equipment and the wealth of scientific knowledge available online, these hobbyists are trying to create new life forms through genetic engineering — a field long dominated by Ph.D.s toiling in university and corporate laboratories.

In her San Francisco dining room lab, for example, 31-year-old computer programmer Meredith L. Patterson is trying to develop genetically altered yogurt bacteria that will glow green to signal the presence of melamine, the chemical that turned Chinese-made baby formula and pet food deadly.

"People can really work on projects for the good of humanity while learning about something they want to learn about in the process," she said. <...>

But critics of the movement worry that these amateurs could one day unleash an environmental or medical disaster. Defenders say the future Bill Gates of biotech could be developing a cure for cancer in the garage

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/25/diy-genetic-engineering/

I have no idea how far they can get. I don't want to know........

[quaker bill]

1. Altering genetics is easy

it is controling the results for desired effect that is difficult.

[Orrex]

2. God, schmod. I want my monkey-man

[laconicsax]

3. Dog, pidgeon, cattle, and sheep breeders seem to have figured it out.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. I hope nobody in Fred Phelp's congregation

has enough brain cells to try anything.