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Hacking Biology

Posted by michael on from the tools-for-a-new-generation dept.

taatacgactc writes: "DARPA (DoD) is now supporting the development of a SPICE equivalent for biological circuits (aka BioSPICE). Best of all, it's to be "open source". Given the hyperexponential improvement in biological technology and the bioengineering efforts getting off the ground, fun stuff should be happening. Of course, there is the "dark side"." More information here. The submitter may be overstating the bit about "open source": the proposal says "All software developed as a part of the program will be open, in the sense that program performers and other DARPA authorized users will have the right to view, use, modify, and distribute code within the program authorized community. All derived works including revision, enhancement, modification, translation, abridgement and expansion of code will also remain open in this sense. ... The DARPA Director reserves the right to approve and exercise licensing arrangements depending on the context and the relevance to national security."

2 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Biology is not just DNA by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · · Score: 5
    Rating the advances in biotechnology simply by looking at DNA sequencing improvements is not very smart..

    Definitely a good point, but I wouldn't underestimate the usefulness of simply being able to sequence better.

    DNA Sequences alone can be/are useful for a lot of different research. Archaeologists and Anthropologists can use DNA sequences to help determine, for example, the relationship of one population to another and/or help trace migration of a population. Medical types can not only check for genetic diseases, but could also use DNA sequences to quickly check the identity of a pathogenic organism, if the sequencing technology becomes readily available enough. (Running a few PCR cycles is still much faster than trying to isolate and culture a pathogen from a swab). Zoologists and Paleontologists can use DNA sequences for similar purposes to what I mentioned for anthropologists and archaeologists, and can be handy for environmental research.

    Until we understand the *function* of the proteins that are derived from these genes, all biotechnology can do is recombine the already existing technologies.

    Again, this is true...but don't forget that "recombining already existing technologies" can be pretty powerful and useful all by itself. (Heck, "recombining existing technologies" is, basically, a fundamental design principle of Unix-based systems, isn't it? I know MY Unix-based systems are extremely useful... I love my "|" key...)

    I'm confident we'll be getting plenty of use out of DNA while we work on the harder problems of protein functions and chemistry

    P.S. Thanks for reminding me...I've been meaning to download the folding@home client and throw some of my meager computing resources at helping out...


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  2. Not OS by bluesninja · · Score: 5

    The submitter may be overstating the bit about "open source": the proposal says "All software developed as a part of the program will be open, in the sense that program performers and other DARPA authorized users will have the right to view, use, modify, and distribute code within the program authorized community

    Whew. The last thing we want is a bunch of B10-5kr1pt k1dd135 running around h4x0ring the neibourhood pets...

    /bluesninja