synthetic biology

"Synthetic biology is the . . . controversial technology platform that combines biology and artificial intelligence, opening up the potential to program biological systems much as we program computers. Synthetic biology enables us not just to read and edit DNA--the technique of CRISPR--but also write it. Rather than life being 'a beautiful game of chance', synthetic biology creates the potential to control our genetic destiny, to say 'no' to bad genes and build a veritable genetic app store for downloading and adding new capabilities into any cell, microbe, plant, or animal. [The authors'] . . . stories include: the work of scientists to develop plants that can be grown in sprawling indoor farms capable of feeding millions with a fraction of the usual resources required; a synthetic, self-regulating insulin that doesn't require injections or a pump; life-altering regenerative, personalized medicine; and novel, durable solutions to climate change. By examining both the science and the ethical, moral, and religious issues surrounding synthetic biology, [the authors] provide the background for preventing its misuse by some to re-engineer their bodies and that of their children, further increasing the disturbing division and polarization of societies into the haves (the enhanced) and the have nots. They provide the background for making wise decisions about issues such as: whether to program novel viruses to fight diseases, what genetic privacy will look like, who will 'own' living organisms, how companies should earn revenue from engineered cells, and how to contain a synthetic organism in a lab"--Provided by publisher.

"Examines the many crises facing humanity while encouraging us with the promise of an emerging solution: synthetic biology. This is the science of building simple organisms, or 'biological apps,' to make manufacturing greener, energy production more sustainable, agriculture more robust, and medicine more powerful and precise. Synthetic biology is the marriage of the digital revolution with a revolution in biology and genomics; some have even called it "the fourth industrial revolution." Accessible andinformative . . . provides readers with hope for the future if we trust in and support the future of science"--Provided by publisher.

A tour of the current revolution in human augmentation explores how the world's most innovative engineers are helping people repair traumatic injuries while transcending physical and mental limitations.

Explains the idea that astronomy includes biology, geology, and chemistry and discusses how finding rocky planets like our own that orbit other stars may answer questions about the origins of life here and elsewhere. Describes how the collaborative work of astronomers, chemists, geologists, and biologists has begun working out the unseen biochemistries that other planets could support. Includes chapter notes and an index.