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Miniaturized DNA Sewing Machines

Posted by kdawson on from the make-it-sew dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Japanese researchers have found a way to build long threads of DNA using miniaturized hooks and bobbins. In fact, they've demonstrated how to manipulate delicate DNA chains without breaking them. They've designed these laser-directed microdevices to pick up and manipulate individual molecules of DNA. The scientists have used optical tweezers to catch and move these microdevices, which could be used in the future to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome." Here's a link to the journal article.

10 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Slippery Slope by negRo_slim · · Score: 4, Insightful

    which could be used in the future to detect genetic disorders such as Down's syndrome.

    But doesn't that in turn just open up a whole 'nother can of worms? There are people out there opposed to such screening, especially parents of children with downs syndrome... This article seems to put it in a good perspective.

    I'm all for using the tools we have created to better our lot but at some point we might be screening for gentic markers that effect personality and help to create the individual. Just as no one is wise enough (IMHO) to take another's life for any reason, I don't think we are wise enough to be scanning our dna for anything but the most flagrant of errors. The kind of problems that wouldn't allow such a person to live a normal and fufilling life... Instead we move one step closer to designer children.

    Today it's Downs Syndrome free, tomarrow it's, "Can I get a medium #1 with blond hair blue eyes, here's 1 egg and a table spoon of semen" "Thank you, your order number is 42".

    --
    On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    1. Re:Slippery Slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Technology doesn't force you to use it. If you don't think you are wise enough to do so, don't.

      On the other hand, other people may want to do this, even if it is probably a mistake. Of course, that's their decision. They probably don't care what you have to say about it.

    2. Re:Slippery Slope by wild_quinine · · Score: 3, Insightful

      There are people out there opposed to such screening, especially parents of children with downs syndrome...

      ... who it is likely cannot seperate their love of their own children from the fact that Downs Syndrome is bloody undesirable.

      Nobody is advocating killing their twelve year old kid with lasers.

      I don't think that the right of an unborn fetus to life trumps the rights of a parent to have a life.

      I have a great deal of respect for parents who have brought up children with Downs Syndrome, because it is hard, and thankless, and the amount of patience, time, energy and love that you have to put in is a burden many folks simply could not bear.

      If science can give me a choice, that cross will not be mine to carry.

    3. Re:Slippery Slope by Joe+Tie. · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The slippery slope argument is listed as a logical fallacy for a reason.

      --
      Everything will be taken away from you.
    4. Re:Slippery Slope by Xzzy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As someone who's had to live with a bum set of genes for all of his life, I fully support genetic screening if the parents desire it.

      Way I see it, the "we shouldn't play god!" argument breaks down really fast when the end result is a child who has to suffer a diminished quality of life. I couldn't imagine a more cruel thing to do than let myself reproduce and force a child to live with a disease that I was fully aware they could inherit.

      Give me a test to filter out embryos that have asthma, down's, diabetes, migraines, or whatever defect you can name, and I'd do it in a second.

    5. Re:Slippery Slope by Original+Replica · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Just as no one is wise enough (IMHO) to take another's life for any reason, I don't think we are wise enough to be scanning our dna for anything but the most flagrant of errors.

      Institutionalized health care will disagree with you on that. If we stay with private health insurance or if we switch to nationalized health care, it doesn't matter. As the ability to "optimize" a zygote becomes a reality, that tool will at first be only used in extreme cases, then later by request, and eventually it will be required in order to keep that child covered under whatever health care system is in place. Designer babies will be more efficient and cost effective. We all know that very large industries prize efficiency and cost effectiveness over just about everything else. Health Care is a HUGE industry. All children will be pre-screened and optimized, just give it time.

      --
      We are all just people.
    6. Re:Slippery Slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      But doesn't that in turn just open up a whole 'nother can of worms?

      Yes. Go fishing.

      There are people out there opposed to such screening

      There are people opposed to saving life with blood transfusion. There are people opposed to teaching women to read. There are people opposed to your continued existence because you do not worship their god.

      a normal and fufilling life

      Do you have any idea what passes for a "normal" life for much of the 6.7 billion people existing right now this moment? Please do not use that cliche. It is a substitute for clear thinking. It is lazy, and it is untrue.

      Instead we move one step closer to designer children.

      Yes. Just like people do now with nutrition and education.

    7. Re:Slippery Slope by ksd1337 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Godwin would be pleased.

  2. Phaser pedal by tepples · · Score: 2, Insightful

    call me when the scientists will discover something that won't work without phasers.

    Guitar effects, for one.

  3. Re:down syndrom, of all the possible examples by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I don't even need a microscope, just look at the person. Down's is easy to spot.

    Determining if a sequence is present is simply a PCR reaction.

    Knowing where the sequence is either standard FISH, FISH on stretched chromatin fibers, or using a PNA padlock probe as an anchor for a rolling circle amplification.

    The tools could be cool, but how they are selling it tells me they developed it in vacuum of a need for it.