Genome Pioneer: We Have The Dangerous Power To Control Evolution

You have said that humankind is entering a “new phase of evolution” -- from natural selection to intelligent direction. Why is this so, and what does it mean?

Biological evolution has taken three and a half or four billion years to get us where we are. Social evolution has been much faster. Now that we can read and write the genetic code, put it in digital form and translate it back into synthesized life, it will be possible to speed up biological evolution to the pace of social evolution.

Genome Pioneer: We Have The Dangerous Power To Control Evolution

Fascinating interview. Not to cause waves (ok, I am causing waves), the argument against evolution saying we can't do it in the lab is pretty much wrong. Self replicating cells made from chemicals.

Honestly, though, this is a bit scary. Creating life... if we screw around too much, we could accidently create something horrible.

To quote a Jurrassic Park, "scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should".

(and I disclaimer - I searched for other posts on this subject for a good 15 mins before posting this. I was a bit surprised this wasn't covered yet)

a reply to: TLomon

Sounds good to me, let's continue to progress, it is our destiny.

They are taking something that is alive and modifying it. They cannot take inanimate matter and make it alive.

originally posted by: TechniXcality
a reply to: TLomon

Sounds good to me, let's continue to progress, it is our destiny.

I agree only a matter of time.
The monkeymen are nearly here.

a reply to: TLomon

It could be argued that from the times as primates roaming the plains of Africa, we have followed an inevitable path where our intellect and communicative ability would lead to our dominance over our genetic future.

This means for us, as humans, evolution does have goals beyond mere survival at the whim of random natural pressures.

We are truly unlike any other species on the planet. To quote a 2,500 year old poetic piece we are "fearfully and wonderfully made".

a reply to: TLomon

put it in digital form and translate it back into synthesized life,

Just great , and computers may be self aware about when . Humankind does not need an asteroid , we have us .

originally posted by: hutch622
a reply to: TLomon

put it in digital form and translate it back into synthesized life,

Just great , and computers may be self aware about when . Humankind does not need an asteroid , we have us .

If our ancestors followed the same logic, we still would be living in caves, fighting for a fire and water....

Sure, we are only species capable to completely eradicate life on earth, and as Arthur Clarke has once said - 'It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.' But we are doing fairly good, and progress has been made at faster rate then ever, thanks to not being obstructed by religion and false morality...