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Easy DNA Editing != Easy Lifeform Manipulation Editing DNA is like having the power to tweak the binary code of an Ubuntu installation. Hopefully, you will not
by biomcgary 11y ago
Easy DNA Editing != Easy Lifeform Manipulation
Editing DNA is like having the power to tweak the binary code of an Ubuntu installation. Hopefully, you will not accidentally edit the kernel (e.g., DNA replication and the ribosome). More importantly, the early days of DNA editing will be like tweaking your favorite application just by changing the binary. Sure, tiny tweaks are possible now, but creating genuinely new functionality that integrates well with the your existing "apps", e.g., height, will be rather difficult. Biological systems have a lot of non-linearity and many feedback loops to contend with.
DNA editing and human life manipulation will happen in time, but imagine writing code that takes 10-50 years to compile. Iterating and pivoting will be challenging. But, we'll have some really advanced flies since they only take 10 days to compile (I mean, reproduce).