DNA as a Weapon
OK, that title may be a stretch. There is an article on NewScientistsSpace discussing research into sequences of DNA that does not exist in nature. The theory behind the research is that the sequences do not exist be cause they are “not compatible with life.”
Exactly what would happen if the sequences were introduced to an organism are of course uncertain however the research team has shown enough promise to be the recipient of a 1 million dollar grant from the Department of Defense. The grant is targeted at developing a marker that could be used in certain criminal cases, however with one theory that some sequences may produce some sort of “suicide gene” in the future, I can see where the DOD may have other interests not publicized.
Of course this is all theory, conjecture and opinion, but it is interesting nonetheless. Science fiction has long had the idea of genetic warfare. Could this be a stepping stone to the next sci-fi reality?
Update: I forgot to cite the Slashdot article that originally led me to this story.
Crank Email law
President Bush signed a bill that will make it illegal to post “annoying web messages” anonymously. Of course it was buried in athe Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act, so we should ignore this one, right?
Hmm…..
This to me could be the beginning of the slippery slope. Postings on the Internet are vastly different from the 3AM crank phone call which this is liking the anonymous postings to. The word “annoy” is of particular concern due to it’s abiguity. The potential for abuse is very high.
-
Pale’s Social Graph
Google Reader Shared Stuff- Microsoft releases Bing app for Android, iOS, not Windows Phone 7
- Google Tweaks Algorithm As Concern Over Bing Grows
- First Android Device Certified For DoD Personnel
- Stupid Router Tricks (or how to use DD-WRT to extend the range of a network)
- Steve Jobs Biography Reveals Reflections On Apple, Contempt For Android
- Galaxy Nexus signup page includes seven US carriers, endless speculation
- I swear to God this is what they must be doing
- Google Promises Android 4.0 For The Nexus S, “Theoretically” For Gingerbread Devices, Too
- Mac Trojan Disables XProtect Updates
- HTML 5 and CSS: Six complete lessons, free for students, faculty, you and me too!
