Man as God

[woodchip]

It would seem scientists are on the verge of creating synthetic lif:

\"Scientists could create the first new form of artificial life within months after a landmark breakthrough in which they turned one bacterium into another.
The team that carried out the first “species transplant” says it plans within months to do the same thing with a synthetic genome made from scratch in the laboratory.

If that experiment worked, it would mark the creation of a synthetic lifeform. \"

http://tinyurl.com/2jubwc

So the question is, are we turning into a godlike architecture? While the bacterium changing scenario on the surface would seem to be inconsequential, we all know how mankind \"improves\" upon a idea. At some point in time, instead of bacteria, scientists will start playing with multi-cellular organisms. Will we be a diety to them if we create ever more complex creatures that someday become intelligent? Or would the argument apply that the supreme being that created us would then take credit for what we produce? Which leads one to ponder if there is not a whole train of created organisms creating other organisms tracking its way through the cosmos.

[Flabby Chick]

Woody! Go look at the bloody Racoons will you!!! That's way to deep for a lazy Friday afternoon.

btw....i'm gonna have piccies soon that'll knock your racoons back to the woods boy...patience...just a little patience...

[CDN_Merlin]

If God created life by thinking it, then the scientists created life the way you explained would not be a God.

They are just using science to do it. Not the same thing.

Also, this will be used in an evil way at some point by any country who has access to this technology.

[Duper]

So the question is, are we turning into a godlike architecture? While the bacterium changing scenario on the surface would seem to be inconsequential, we all know how mankind "improves" upon a idea. At some point in time, instead of bacteria, scientists will start playing with multi-cellular organisms. Will we be a diety to them if we create ever more complex creatures that someday become intelligent? Or would the argument apply that the supreme being that created us would then take credit for what we produce? Which leads one to ponder if there is not a whole train of created organisms creating other organisms tracking its way through the cosmos.

Only if you play Black and White. There is nothing god-like about us. Reverse engineering does not give you the rights to the patent.

[roid]

So the question is, are we turning into a godlike architecture? While the bacterium changing scenario on the surface would seem to be inconsequential, we all know how mankind "improves" upon a idea. At some point in time, instead of bacteria, scientists will start playing with multi-cellular organisms. Will we be a diety to them if we create ever more complex creatures that someday become intelligent? Or would the argument apply that the supreme being that created us would then take credit for what we produce? Which leads one to ponder if there is not a whole train of created organisms creating other organisms tracking its way through the cosmos.

I wouldn't diefy another human (ie: a doctor) who edited my DNA, coz i know we'd be no different - i understand (theoretically haha) the process and know i could edit the Doctor's DNA as well.
We only diefy things we don't understand.

If we were able to teach our creations howto edit DNA, that means they'd understand - so they would have no gap in knowledge, no reason to diefy us, no reason to "make up ★■◆●".

As for the question of diety rank, with organisms creating organisms creating organisms. Why assume that an organism would be lesser than it's creator? If i designed and created an intelligent organism that could create other organisms, what would be stopping it from recreating ME - and then that new ME recreating IT, ad-infinum? If Gods can create us, and we can create Gods, it seems the whole definition of God is meaningless. My parents are nothing special.

So a a whole train of created organisms creating other organisms tracking its way through the cosmos would probabaly resemble a vast orgy of equal complexity von-neumann-probes rather than a top down family with a single superior "god" at it's head (and everything below it being inferior to the head).

[Kilarin]

Has anyone else read C. S. Lewis \"The Abolition of Man?\"

I'm not certain how (or if) they got permission to do it, but Columbia University has it online http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/ar ... ition1.htm

[roid]

i can't believe i talked about deeper meanings and totally didn't bother to comment on how awesome this development actually it! (damn you woodchip gettin all deep! WOODCHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!)


anyway, i was just reading some more about this thing and a certain thing occured to me - cells from vastly different species use different ways of powering themselves. Not all cells have the traditional mitocondria that feed on glucose/oxygen and whatnot. There are some bacterial cells that feed on all kinds of crazy things like sulphides etc something.
What is important to remember is that mitocondria have their own seperate DNA, it is not contained within the Cell's Nucleus - but divides seperately within the Mitocondria itself - they are effectly paracites/symbiotes within our cells.

So, my question would be this: What do you think would happen if they took the DNA from one mitocondrial organism, and implanted it into another cell with non-mitocondrial energy centers that don't feed on GLUCOSE/OXYGEN but sulphides instead? Would you create a hybrid new lifeform? Remember that mitocondria divide seperately in the cell, so even if you replaced the cell's DNA - it would still have it's same mitocondrial lineage. Could you perchance make a previously glucose eating bacteria eat sulphides instead? hmmmm

edit: i doubt it, the nutrients have to get to the mitocondria, and it's the cell that does this thx to it's DNA. ie: the mitocondria would not be able to function without the insulin receptors on the cell wall, the presense of which is governed by the cell's mitocondria-friendly DNA.

[Behemoth]

Very promising research.

Playing God is a loose term that is overused, I believe it would benefit us in the longer run to have done this type and other (Stem cell) research.

As for roid's comment about inferiority concerning a creation and creator, It's just like you mention with mitocondria, It will not work without the proper cell and receptors; Which seems to point out to me that it has a certain way of unfolding to become this way.