The start of Life 2.0
If the essence of Web 2.0 is user generated content (UGC), then arguably the key point about anything which can be classed as Life 2.0 is that one form of life creates a new form of life – in which case, it seems that we are there with the news this week that scientists have created the world’s first synthetic life form.
The controversial feat, which has occupied 20 scientists for more than 10 years at an estimated cost of $40m, was described by one researcher as “a defining moment in biology”.
I’m really excited by the possibilities that this scientific breakthrough offers in so many areas including new energy sources, new ways of tackling pollution and new forms of communication. Of course, with any scientific development, there are risks of accidents or misuse and clearly we have to guard against these, but the potential benefits are huge and transformative.
Some have argued that creating new lifeforms is playing at God. Personally I don’t believe that there is a God so I don’t accept that the work of scientists is in any sense replicating the role of the divine. In any event, if there was a God, he/she/it would surely not give humankind the means to invent new life forms if we were not intended to use such talents.
Some have argued that creating new life forms is somehow in contradiction to what evolution intended. In fact, evolution is a mechanism without intention – it is a slow series of adaptations or mutations which, in a very real sense, are accidental. In any event, evolution is not our best shot – it is full of false starts and dead ends. Maybe we can do better.
I think we should try.