Amateurs Are Trying Genetic Engineering At Home

the_kanzure points out this AP story on amateur genetic engineering, excerpting: "The Apple computer was invented in a garage. Same with the Google search engine. Now, tinkerers are working at home with the basic building blocks of life itself. Using homemade lab equipment and the wealth of scientific knowledge available online, these hobbyists are trying to create new life forms through genetic engineering a field long dominated by Ph.D.s toiling in university and corporate laboratories." Reader resistant has a few ideas about how to use this sort of lab: "Personally, I'd like to whip up a reasonably long-lasting and durable paint made with dye based on squid genes that glows brightly enough to allow 'guide lines' to be daubed along hallway baseboards, powered by a very low trickle of electricity. Plus, a harmless glowing yogurt would make for a cool prank."

Comments

Laugh now, but

[unassimilatible]

I have a plan and you all will soon bow down before me:

1) Create perfect woman in petri dish
2) First /.'er to lose virginity
3) Patent troll
4) ?
5) Profit

Re:Laugh now, but

[TheRaven64]

You can't patent trolls, there's too much prior art.

Also, I'm fairly sure 'trying genetic engineering at home' is a euphemism for something...

Minature pandas

[pomegranatesix]

If I could get my hands on some panda DNA, I'd genetically engineer a mini-panda about the size of a guinea pig or hamster for the pet market.
In one fell swoop, I will have saved a species from extinction AND become a billionaire!