Scientists Create Synthesized DNA Bases 125
Iddo Genuth writes to tell us that researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego have created two artificial DNA bases in an effort to "expand biology's potential." "In the future, [chemist Floyd] Romesberg envisions manipulating the genetic code of bacteria in order to assemble better drugs or even man-made proteins. Until now, the bases only work in bacteria, so human augmentation is currently not possible. Another option is to use alpha and beta to help construct nanomachines to be used for drug delivery. 'This is like jumping from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age,' Romesberg says. 'It takes time to figure out how best to use metal.'" Update 18:10 GMT by SM: Roger writes to share the NewScientist link with a bit more information. There is also the original release text for consideration.
I want my Vitamin C! (Score:4, Interesting)
Can we get back our Vitamin C gene again? I would love being able to eat less fruit... Scurvy sucks.
These are bases not amino acids (Score:5, Interesting)
He's adding new bases which have no coding to amino acids. I don't see the purpose of this. Is it just for adding a trace or marker in DNA?
All the bases do are code for amino acids and it's the amino acid sequence which accounts for a protein's shape. In the end it's the protein's shape that matters for chemical interactions.
Re:These are bases not amino acids (Score:5, Interesting)
You're totally right. This is such a non-story and frankly mildly offensive in how full of himself the scientist is with sweeping comments like that.
As it stands currently, the amount of genetic degenerecy in amino acid coding means that they would easily have those double and tripled coded amino acids switched to something else. They could potentially add another 20-30 new amino acids with absolutely no change in the number or form of the base pairs used.
Its like finding a solution to a problem that doesn't exist, will never exist, and serves no purpose even if it was found. But apparently its equivalent from going to the iron age from the bronze age. Ha!
Old News (Score:4, Interesting)
Where is the whatcanpossiblygowrong tag, like last time? Have the Luddites left, already?
Re:These are bases not amino acids (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm pretty sure the only use for this is going to be marking genes, probably just to keep track of who owns the patents.
The first genetic DRM?
Re:I want my Vitamin C! (Score:3, Interesting)
Hahahah, it's so funny, because reading about the history of Scurvy, people actually thought this way for awhile.
Personally, I really think it'd be awesome if we could just repair our Vitamin C gene, and generate Vitamin C ourselves again... but then we also need to fix the gene that processes uric acid, so that we don't fill up on stuff doing the job of Vitamin C... since high uric acid levels have been associated with Type II diabetes, it might just effect a reduction in diabetes in humans.
Re:These are bases not amino acids (Score:2, Interesting)
My 2c.
Re:I want my Vitamin C! (Score:3, Interesting)
Have you ever tried coconut rum and fresh OJ? You'll never bitch about drinking your fruits again.
Just wait until he starts bitching about his liver. :P
Why does no one look at my name? Is it just standard presumption that everyone on slashdot is a guy, even when their login is "snowgirl"?