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Venter Institute Claims Patent on Synthetic Life

Posted by Zonk on from the we-made-you-we-can-unmake-you dept.

jimsnail writes "J. Craig Venter and the Institute that bears his name are again moving into new territory in the field of genetics. Genetic patents, that is. They are seeking a broad patent that would give them ownership of a 'free living organism that can grow and replicate' constructed entirely from synthetic DNA. The ETC Group is challenging the claim. 'Scientists at the institute designed the bacterium to have a "minimal genome"--the smallest set of genes any organism can live on. The project, which began in the early 2000s, was partly a philosophical exercise: to help define life itself better by identifying its bare-bones requirements. But it was also fraught with commercial possibilities: if one could reliably recreate a standardized, minimal life form, other useful genes could be added in as needed for various purposes.'"

11 of 163 comments (clear)

  1. this is sick by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    You can't hug your children with synthetic DNA arms!

  2. ID theory to the rescue by Red+Flayer · · Score: 5, Funny

    If God (or someone else) did truly intelligently design life, that would mean all life forms are synthetic. Hence, prior art exists.

    Did I just discover a scientifically *useful* application of ID wack-theory? If so, is the universe going to implode, or am I about to be flamed to fiery hell by people who never evolved a sarcasmeter?

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    1. Re:ID theory to the rescue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'd still reference The Bible as prior art when disputing the patent.

  3. Sorry, you were patented.... by PortHaven · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sorry, you were patented....please pay $xx,xxx.xx in order to continue living!

    1. Re:Sorry, you were patented.... by Mistlefoot · · Score: 2, Funny

      We do pay $xx,xxx.xx to continue living. It's called taxes. Or at least we do in Canada. In 2000 per the Fraser Institute the average family paid $25,000/year.

      source
      http://oldfraser.lexi.net/media/media_releases/200 1/20010613.html

  4. Re:That's okay by WilliamSChips · · Score: 4, Funny

    Soviet Russia called to collect their patent dues. They just patented YOU!

    --
    Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
  5. heh by wizardforce · · Score: 3, Funny

    ok then I'll patent a critical gene that this guy has in his DNA and pull a MAFIAA on him if he reproduces. then have genes renamed "files" and if he ever tries to hire a hooker it'll be illegal file sharing :)

    --
    Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
  6. Hmm... by Mockylock · · Score: 1, Funny

    Who owns the patent on life in southern West Virginia?

    I've been there a few times, and there are quite a few living on the minimum requirements for gene usage.

    --
    "Please, shut up. Just when I think you can't say anything more stupid, you speak again." -Archie Bunker.
  7. I'd offer myself as prior art.. by Anonymous+Meoward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ..but I have no life. If anyone wants me, I'm in the basement.

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    --- The American Way of Life is not a birthright. Hell, it's not even sustainable.
  8. Re:That's okay (DNA) by IgLou · · Score: 2, Funny

    HA! I one upped you! I patented RNAML a markup language used to model RNA and DNAML and anything like it. You'll all screwed as you can no longer describe what you want to patent.

    MUHAHAHAHAHA! MUHAHAHAHA!

    Evil genius is me!

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    Oops, how did this get here?
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
  9. Re:That's okay (DNA) by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, but I used siRNA to silence your patent.

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    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --