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DNA So Dangerous It Doesn't Exist

Posted by samzenpus on from the scramble-your-genes dept.

Panaqqa writes "A group of researchers at Boise State University is investigating the theory that there are genome sequences so dangerous they are incompatible with life. Greg Hampikian, a professor of genetics, and his team are comparing all possible short sequences of nucleotides to databases of gene sequences to determine which ones don't exist in nature. The New Scientist reports that the US Department of Defense is interested enough in their work to have awarded them a $1 million grant. I for one am not sure I like the possible directions this research could take."

8 of 454 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds Like the Funniest Joke in the World by ztransform · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just like the Monty Python sketch "the Funniest Joke in the World", developing something that kills itself too quickly isn't going to get propagated far without a lot of effort!

    1. Re:Sounds Like the Funniest Joke in the World by Alsee · · Score: 5, Funny

      That violates Occam's razor.

      But you're forgetting Occam's Shaving Cream.

      Conspiracy theory is the handy-dandy foaming lubricant for avoiding the harsh cut of Occam's Razor.

      Occam's Shaving Cream says that Conspiracy theories can trade off lubrication vs foam factor. If a conspiracy theory is slick enough, you don't need much foam. And if the initial conspiracy isn't very slick, the harder someone tries to rub it away the harder it foams up.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  2. I, for one, by BerkeleyDude · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new incompatible non-existing overlords.

    1. Re:I, for one, by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey, religion claims prior art! Now you owe 1 billion dollars to the catholic church!

      --
      It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
      Be yourself no matter what they say
  3. Re:Hmmm... paradox? by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope they are very careful with their experiments.

    Indeed,we wouldn't want a petri dish to catch cold.

    KFG

  4. Re:Hmmm... paradox? by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 5, Funny
    Undoubtedly the plot of the fourth Indiana Jones movie.

    "Doctor Jones? We'd like you to find the lost macguffin of death that kills anything with DNA before the Nazis find it. Oh, and the French Dr. Sneeringfart, your longterm rival, is already on the trail."

    A few scenes from the movie:

    Dr S: "Fine wine - too bad you won't live to enjoy it, Jones!"

    Indy: "Snakes on a plane? Why does it always have to be snakes on a plane!?"

    Indy: "There was an ancient legend that the Aztecs put this in the cocoa of their enemies. DNA incompatible with human life! It's like a bad dream of science!"

    Explorer babe: "Oh, Indy, ignore that tiny bottle of deadly DNA and pay some attention to MY DNA!!"

    Er, I expect the title will be, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Lost Biowarfare.

  5. Re:Might as well imagine shrink rays. by Wonko+the+Sane · · Score: 5, Funny

    Assuming you did something to make sure the recessive gene didn't just strike carriers too, you'd end killing blonds and gingers. What's so bad about that? We all know that gingers have no souls.

    Red Power!
  6. Re:A million dollars?? by Vreejack · · Score: 5, Funny

    So the /. summary was misleading... I'm shocked, shocked to discover sensational flamebait summaries posted here.
    --
    "Will future ages believe that such stupid bigotry ever existed!" -- Ivanhoe