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I agree that every analogy has its weak points, but Crispr's actual function in cells is the exact opposite of malware, so it just seems like a very odd analogy
by el_cujo 7y ago
I agree that every analogy has its weak points, but Crispr's actual function in cells is the exact opposite of malware, so it just seems like a very odd analogy to pick. It also creates a sense of fear and distrust that is bad to associate with a tool that the public really doesn't understand as-is.
- rob74 7y agoOf course "malware" is maybe a bad word for it, because it contains "mal" (i.e. "bad"), which is contrary to the (hopefully) beneficial effects of CRISPR. But the fact remains that CRISPR is using an exploit to hack the "Code" I mentioned above, with potentially dangerous results, and if you think about it in these terms, "malware" doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore...