Reply #49: Scientists create a living organism

[TomCADem]

Source: CNN

Scientists have turned inanimate chemicals into a living organism in an experiment that raises profound questions about the essence of life.

Craig Venter, the U.S. genomics pioneer, announced on Thursday that scientists at his laboratories in Maryland and California had succeeded in their 15-year project to make the world's first "synthetic cells" -- bacteria called Mycoplasma mycoides.

"We have passed through a critical psychological barrier," Dr. Venter told the FT. "It has changed my own thinking, both scientifically and philosophically, about life, and how it works."

The bacteria's genes were all constructed in the laboratory "from four bottles of chemicals on a chemical synthesizer, starting with information on a computer," he said.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/science/05/20/scientists.organism.ft/?hpt=T1

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Big deal! The corporate media managed to create a whole political movement, "The Tea Party," which has people angry at Wall Street demonstrating against the regulation of Wall Street. Which is more impressive?

:)