https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231213212519.htm
This article is about using that "new version of the standard genetic alphabet" to create custom proteins and medicines. There's no mention of trying to add this new "genetic alphabet" to your genetic code or otherwise doing anything necessarily harmful.
For some reason, I'm still leery about what's going on here. But it's obviously coming regardless.
Now, researchers at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego have come one step closer to unlocking the potential of artificial DNA. The researchers found that RNA polymerase, one of the most important enzymes involved in protein synthesis, was able to recognize and transcribe an artificial base pair in exactly the same manner as it does with natural base pairs.
The findings, published December 12, 2023 in Nature Communications, could help scientists create new medicines by designing custom proteins.
"Considering how diverse life on Earth is with just four nucleotides, the possibilities of what could happen if we can add more are enticing," said senior author Dong Wang, PhD, a professor at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego. "Expanding the genetic code could greatly diversify the range of molecules we can synthesize in the lab and revolutionize how we approach designer proteins as therapeutics."
. . . The study uses a new version of the standard genetic alphabet, called the Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System (AEGIS), that incorporates two new base pairs. Originally developed by Benner, AEGIS began as a NASA-supported initiative to try to understand how extraterrestrial life could have developed.
By isolating RNA polymerase enzymes from bacteria and testing their interactions with synthetic base pairs, they found that the synthetic base pairs from AEGIS form a geometric structure that resembles the Watson and Crick geometry of natural base pairs. The result: the enzymes that transcribe DNA can't tell the difference between these synthetic base pairs and those found in nature.
"In biology, structure determines function," said Wang. "By conforming to a similar structure as standard base pairs, our synthetic base pairs can slip in under the radar and be incorporated in the usual transcription process."
Exactly. And every tool can be used for good or for evil; to build or to destroy.
The more powerful the tools, the more important the overall emotional health of society, world-wide.
Good people do good things (or try to). Evil people do evil things.
In a world where mankind has tools approaching God-like power, emotional health is perhaps the most important topic of all.
I grew up anti-religious, but the core of every true religion is about love, freedom (they can't be separated, really; you can't treat people with love while stripping their freedom from them), and emotional health (which REQUIRES large doses of both love and freedom).
Emotional health is 95% about the treatment of CHILDREN.
Jesus in particular was very direct on the topic:
Matthew: 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark: 10:13: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 10:14: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 10:15: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luke: 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
John: 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.