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I won't say that this has no chance of succeeding, even though that is the most likely outcome. But it is these kinds of blind and reckless experiments that wil
by tomohelix 4y ago
I won't say that this has no chance of succeeding, even though that is the most likely outcome. But it is these kinds of blind and reckless experiments that will bring new understandings that can potentially add more knowledge that will make a success later on. Yes, that sentence was that long because that is how much importance this experiment will hold in the end.
They tested the genes on single cells or at best a couple of them together. I guarantee you that these cells won't even make it past the embryonic stage unless dramatic changes are introduced to the procedure. Gene expression is easy. The hard part is how to seamlessly integrate that extra gene into a network of densely expressed native genes, all of which interact and regulate with each other, and not disrupt any of them. Because if even just one in a few thousands get affected, like say instead of making 100 copies, it makes 90, then that fetus will likely become nonviable.
So we aren't going to make Space Marines anytime soon. Unless they manage to change all somatic cells in a human body at the same time, at which point it probably more likely the AGIs are in charge already.
- freitzkriesler2 4y ago> the AGIs are in charge already. Assuming AGI with a quantum component added in, this type of experiment could be run digitally exposing all of the possible variables. Brave new world indeed...
- froggychairs 4y agoYou can’t just throw AGI & Quantum together and have it mean anything. This is how a sci-fi show would explain away its technology Combing the two doesn’t result in anything, besides the fact one is questionable if it can ever be realized (AGI) the other technology is extremely nascent and even physics wonder if there is a limit to the # of qbits (I’m more optimistic we’ll surpass that) Even then the usefulness of quantum computers is called into question, and quantum inspired algorithms might net benefits without having to use a quantum computer for all inference ops
- klyrs 4y agoCompare the size of today's training sets (unknown, I'm guessing PB given who's doing the work), models (TB for the good ones), versus the sizes of quantum computers (hundreds for gate model, a few thousand for adiabatic). We're looking at about 10 orders of magnitude (30 doublings) of progress that would need to be made, for quantum + ML to make any sense purely on dimensional analysis. If we're generous and give both sides a doubling every year, that's still 15 years out. My money is on classical computing owning this space for a long time.
- rich_sasha 4y ago> You can’t just throw AGI & Quantum together and have it mean anything. This is how a sci-fi show would explain away its technology Let's add Blockchain to it!
- wombatpm 4y agoOnce they figure out what genes they need/want, they can look to using CRISPR technology modify adults or children. But probably adults first. One they can experiment on prisoner sentenced to death which is no more ethically challenged than harvesting the organs of those sentenced to death, and two I'm sure any life extension genes would be highly desirable for the ruling class. Of course, this is not something I fear today based on their performance with their COVID vaccine. But who knows what can happen in 20 years. Then again it was 27 years ago that we cloned a sheep and we can see the impact that that has had on the world