Path: utzoo!censor!geac!jtsv16!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!execu!sequoia!texbell!nuchat!uhnix1!jane!bchs1b
From: BCHS1B@jane.uh.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Creating life
Message-ID: <4782@jane.uh.edu>
Date: 3 Nov 89 03:46:46 GMT
References: <2461@umbc3.UMBC.EDU> <4516@utastro.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Houston
Lines: 48


In article <4516@utastro.UUCP>, terry@utastro.UUCP (Terry Hancock) writes:
> In article <2461@umbc3.UMBC.EDU> cs225202@umbc5.umbc.edu.UUCP (Sang J. Moon) writes:
>>Just a thought... I know that the basic building blocks of DNA can be now
>>created from inorganic molecules, but can biologists use these building blocks
>>to create viable DNA which will cbecome an actual organism?
>>
> 	No, as I understand it, there are some problems:
> 
> 	1. We don't yet have the ability to construct arbitrary 
> 	sequences of DNA.  We are limited to a) simple code 
> 	sequences (such as all one type, or sets of three, or
> 	something) or b) copying codes that are found 
> 	naturally.
> 		I would be VERY interested in info refuting
> 	this statement, if such exists.
> 
> 	2. Even if we COULD do 1., we don't know enough about
> 	molecular biology to make a plan for a viable organism
> 	(unless we copy extensively from an existing one).  There
> 	is much study left to be done.
> 
> 	Caveat -- I am NOT a biologist, I am an astronomer, I get these
> silly ideas from my fiancee, who doesn't get the net.  I'll have to
> ask her about any technical questions.
> 
> **********************************
> Terry Hancock
> terry@astro.as.utexas.edu
> **********************************
> 
> 
Sorry, but that is not correct. We can synthesize DNA containing any sequence
that we want it to carry. It is now routine to synthesize entire genes. It
certainly would be reasonable, although some effort, to synthesize the genome
of a small virus which could be used to transform a cell and then would
replicate and propagate itself. The complete DNA sequence has not yet
been determined for any living cell, probably the bacterium E. coli will be
first in the next few years. It would be theoretically possible to synthesize
its genome, but practically it would be unreasonable. However it would not
be an easy step to go from this to a living cell becuase you need components
of the cell to read and transcibe and replicate the information n the DNA
first. Sort of like have a cassette tape without a tape recorder, the 
information is there but no way to read or hear it.

MIke Benedik
Biochemical Sciences
University of Houston