The greatest idea since thalidomide

footfootfoot • Sep 15, 2011 12:03 pm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/sep/14/synthetic-dna-in-yeast-breakthrough
glatt • Sep 15, 2011 12:23 pm
It's interesting technology. But this scientist would do well to choose different words.

"They are remarkably healthy [genetically altered yeast cells] and to us that's incredibly exciting because it means our design is sound and we can play all the games we are fantasizing about,"
Sundae • Sep 15, 2011 12:41 pm
You know Thalidomide is still prescribed, right?
Not for silly namby-pamby things like morning sickness. But for leprosy.

Although pregnant woman are denied it.
(yeah, there are new Thalidomide babies being born in Brazil).
footfootfoot • Sep 15, 2011 12:55 pm
As Patton Oswalt said "We're science. We're all about coulda, not shoulda. They might as well have said 'Hey we just made cancer airborne and contagious. You're welcome.'"
SamIam • Sep 15, 2011 1:14 pm
Well, actually, cancer is already airborne in a manner of speaking. Just to name a couple, breathing in uranium dust has caused cancers and ultimately death in many uranium miners. Then there's the link of rescue workers inhaling the dust near ground zero at 9/11 and now beginning to develop cancers.

While the article was about the industrial uses of genetically modified yeast, a lot of medical research is also being done on genetics (often on mouse cells) and how genetically modified cells can be used to combat all sorts of health problems.

I would be more worried about a viral pandemic than a few genetically modified yeast cells.
infinite monkey • Sep 15, 2011 3:13 pm
Oh, it'll probably cause some cool new breakthrough disorder, everyone will want it!
SamIam • Sep 15, 2011 4:36 pm
Yeah, the attack of the yeast people! People who are only a single giant cell and who can make clones of themselves in minutes. They don't have to buy alcohol because they naturally ferment any liquid they drink, so they're always high - VERY high! :eek:
infinite monkey • Sep 15, 2011 4:56 pm
Hey, I think I dated a Yeast Person!
SamIam • Sep 15, 2011 5:05 pm
I dated a lot of people who wanted to be a yeast person. They gave it their best shot too.

Just once before I die, I want to date a guy who is "normal." Whatever that is.
TheMercenary • Sep 15, 2011 6:00 pm
SamIam;756522 wrote:
Yeah, the attack of the yeast people! People who are only a single giant cell and who can make clones of themselves in minutes. They don't have to buy alcohol because they naturally ferment any liquid they drink, so they're always high - VERY high! :eek:


Sounds like a 1950's nuclear horror movie! :lol: