Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and OurselvesBasic Books, 2 oct 2012 - 284 páginas Imagine a future in which human beings have become immune to all viruses, in which bacteria can custom-produce everyday items, like a drinking cup, or generate enough electricity to end oil dependency. Building a house would entail no more work than planting a seed in the ground. These scenarios may seem far-fetched, but pioneering geneticist George Church and science writer Ed Regis show that synthetic biology is bringing us ever closer to making such visions a reality. In Regenesis, Church and Regis explore the possibilities—and perils—of the emerging field of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology, in which living organisms are selectively altered by modifying substantial portions of their genomes, allows for the creation of entirely new species of organisms. Until now, nature has been the exclusive arbiter of life, death, and evolution; with synthetic biology, we now have the potential to write our own biological future. Indeed, as Church and Regis show, it even enables us to revisit crucial points in the evolution of life and, through synthetic biological techniques, choose different paths from those nature originally took. Such exploits will involve far more than just microbial tinkering. Full-blown genomic engineering will make possible incredible feats, from resurrecting woolly mammoths and other extinct organisms to creating mirror life forms with a molecular structure the opposite of our own. These technologies—far from the out-of-control nightmare depicted in science fiction—have the power to improve human and animal health, increase our intelligence, enhance our memory, and even extend our life span. A breathtaking look at the potential of this world-changing technology, Regenesis is nothing less than a guide to the future of life. |
Índice
PROLOGUE | 1 |
At the InorganicOrganic Interface | 15 |
CHAPTER 2 | 28 |
CHAPTER 3 | 55 |
360 MYR CARBoNIFERoUs | 91 |
CHAPTER 5 | 109 |
CHAPTER 7 | 151 |
100 YR ANTHROPOCENE | 179 |
CHAPTER 9 | 203 |
+1 YR THE END OF THE BEGINNING | 225 |
Acknowledgments | 255 |
Illustration Sources | 267 |
273 | |
Otras ediciones - Ver todo
Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves George M Church,Edward Regis Vista previa restringida - 2014 |
Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves George M Church,Edward Regis No hay ninguna vista previa disponible - 2014 |
Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves George M. Church,Ed Regis No hay ninguna vista previa disponible - 2014 |
Términos y frases comunes
algae amino acids animals antibodies artificial atoms bacteria bacterium base pairs benefit biobrick biofuels cancer carbon cell’s changes Chapter chemical cloning codons coli complex create cyanobacteria diesel disease drug encoded enzymes ethanol evolution example extinct field Figure finally find firm first five flight fuel genes genetic code genome engineering Genome Project handedness human genome idea iGEM living machines mammoth microbes million mirror molecular molecules mutation natural Neanderthal nuclear nucleotides oligos organisms pathogens percent Personal Genome Personal Genome Project petroleum plants plasmid polymers produce proteins replexity replication researchers ribosome ribozyme scientific selection sequence species specific stem cell structures synthesis synthetic biology synthetic genomics tion transhumanism tRNA types Venter viral virus viruses