Genetics today--A long time from the Honorverse.

Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

Edit: More details from Ars Technica.

Minimalist genome—only 473 genes—synthesized and used to boot up a cell

Vince wrote:Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

JohnRoth wrote:

Vince wrote:Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

There is two careers that will always exist. Morticians and politions.

some day we may find the secret to eternal life

Senior Chief wrote:

JohnRoth wrote:Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

I think that it would be fair to say that the genetics in the Honorverse sufferes quite a bit from being a series developed decades ago. Especially the earlier comments on the topic. Ironically the gene modding mentioned now (especially as practiced by the Mesan's) is more realistic because it is far less detailed in its working and is more closely related to traditional stock breeding approaches.

Fundamentally Honorverse genetics works on the blueprint model where a gene specifically codes for a specific protien or atribute. Sadly since then we have discovered that DNA is more like a recipie book that leaves a lot out that is determined by the environment it finds itself in. This is why human geneomes are smaller than so called "Lower" life forms as so much of the environment can be assumed.


Since RFC chose this model we have learned a lot. Specifically Now now we know that genetic activation by the environment and epigenetics is a huge factor in gene expression and is totally invalidates the blueprint model. The existance of helper protiens that override the genetic coding to make the protien assume the right shape even after the code specifies a different shape is also a radical discovery that makes many of the assumptions of years ago less reliable.

JohnRoth wrote:

Vince wrote:Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

Senior Chief wrote:perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

'Twould be nice, but will never happen. It would require gene splicing and politicians don't like splitting the party.

cthia wrote:

Vince wrote:Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

JohnRoth wrote:Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

Senior Chief wrote:perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

'Twould be nice, but will never happen. It would require gene splicing and politicians don't like splitting the party.

Actually, we have examples of honest politicians*, although I'm not sure any of them are currently alive. If they are alive, we should be able to breed them.

* The definition of an honest politician is a politician that once (s)he is bought, (s)he stays bought.

Vince wrote: quote="cthia"] quote="Vince"]Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

JohnRoth wrote:Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

Senior Chief wrote:perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

'Twould be nice, but will never happen. It would require gene splicing and politicians don't like splitting the party.[/quote]Actually, we have examples of honest politicians*, although I'm not sure any of them are currently alive. If they are alive, we should be able to breed them.

* The definition of an honest politician is a politician that once (s)he is bought, (s)he stays bought.[/quote]


Imagine treecats in the SEM's parliament, then you'd have an honest politician.

Vince wrote:

Senior Chief wrote:perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

Actually, we have examples of honest politicians*, although I'm not sure any of them are currently alive. If they are alive, we should be able to breed them.

* The definition of an honest politician is a politician that once (s)he is bought, (s)he stays bought.

saber964 wrote:Imagine treecats in the SEM's parliament, then you'd have an honest politician.

would not surprise me if it happens quickly now that cats can sign.

saber964 wrote:

Vince wrote: quote="cthia"] quote="Vince"]Genetics in the Honorverse is an advanced science, to the point where geneticists can design people for new environments.

The current situation is much different. Every time we think we know how genes work, we are reminded by Nature of just how much we don't know (and what we think we know is wrong, to one degree or another).

Synthetic Stripped-Down Bacterium Could Shed Light on Life's Mysteries

JohnRoth wrote:Yeah, I've seen this in a number of places today - J. Craig Ventner knows how to get the publicity, eh? In any case, it really is moving ahead. Now they're working on the next step: writing and filing patent applications.

Senior Chief wrote:perhaps someday they will create a gene that will make an honest politican....

cthia wrote:'Twould be nice, but will never happen. It would require gene splicing and politicians don't like splitting the party.

Vince wrote:Actually, we have examples of honest politicians*, although I'm not sure any of them are currently alive. If they are alive, we should be able to breed them.

* The definition of an honest politician is a politician that once (s)he is bought, (s)he stays bought.

saber964 wrote:Imagine treecats in the SEM's parliament, then you'd have an honest politician.

A politician and a vampire walk into a bar.

"I didn't bite you because of professional courtesy."

"What, I'm nothing like you."

"No? I can't see my reflection in a mirror. You can see yours, but it lies to you."