In "Getting a Life Near to Reality," Sean Dodson discusses a scientific breakthrough in the creation of artificial life. Recently, a research group led by American biologist Dr. Craig Venter has been able to insert artificially constructed chromosomes into existing living cells. This insertion of chromosomes is one further step in the attempt to create synthetic cells, a desire of scientists since the early 1980s. In addition, Mark Bedau from the European Centre for Living Technology in Venice was able to manufacture artificial vesicles, effectively artificial cell walls. The ability of scientists to study artificial life would enable them to more clearly understand living systems and where they came from, but would this created "alife" get out of hand? And is the creation of synthetic cells even possible?
Image Credit: HowStuffWorks "Artificial Life" from http://science.howstuffworks.com/artificial-life-news.htm
Link to Article: http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/getting-a-life-near-to-reality-20081012-4yyr.html?page=-1
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