DARPA Aims for Synthetic Life With a Kill Switch 295
jkinney3 writes to mention that DARPA's mad scientists have undertaken a new program designed to create synthetic organisms, complete with a "kill switch." The project, dubbed BioDesign, is dumping $6 million into "removing the randomness of evolutionary advancement" by creating genetically engineered masterpieces. "Of course, Darpa's got to prevent the super-species from being swayed to do enemy work — so they'll encode loyalty right into DNA, by developing genetically programmed locks to create 'tamper proof' cells. Plus, the synthetic organism will be traceable, using some kind of DNA manipulation, 'similar to a serial number on a handgun.' And if that doesn't work, don't worry. In case Darpa's plan somehow goes horribly awry, they're also tossing in a last-resort, genetically-coded kill switch."
Next a retro-virus... (Score:1, Funny)
that introduces the kill switch in to soldiers and spies. For national security, of course.
Re:Luckily... (Score:2, Funny)
History has no evidence of any organism managing to evolve away from a lethal or maladaptive feature. The killswitch should persist in the population indefinitely.
As long as they don't use frog DNA, we should be fine. At least that's what Michael Crichton proved. :)
Re:Do androids dream of electric sheep? (Score:4, Funny)
Only if they're Scottish androids.
Re:Excuse me? (Score:2, Funny)
What OS would 'it' run? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Kill Switch (Score:3, Funny)
As they say in Deus Ex (Score:1, Funny)
I know your UNATCO killphrase: Laputan machine. Take your best shot, Flatlander Woman.
WARNING: Gunther Hermann and Anna Navarre should NOT read the above text!
Re:Luckily... (Score:4, Funny)
They were reading "freefall" (Score:3, Funny)
artificial life, with serial numbers on DNA, and a pre-programmed lifespan... where did DARPA replicate that idea from, and when can I get a basic pleasure model?
Looks like they were reading Mark Stanley's excellent webcomic "Freefall [purrsia.com]".
It examines these issues in detail, with considerable humor.
Re:Excuse me? (Score:2, Funny)
This meme would die but damnit, some mad scientist went playing god and now this meme is unkillable.
Serenity? (Score:3, Funny)
Dr. Simon Tam: A phrase that's encoded in her brain, that makes her fall asleep. If I speak the words, "Eta...
Jayne Cobb: Well don't say it!
Zoë: It only works on her, Jayne.
Jayne Cobb: Oh... Well, now I know that.
Deus Ex (Score:3, Funny)
- Take your best shot, flatlander woman.