Life: gene-centric view. Craig Venter & Richard Dawkins (Moderator: John Brockman) Part 2

[sulljoh1]

Not for the first time, I get the impression that Craig Venter doesn't really understand some basic biological concepts, or is a poor communicator to non-experts, as much as I love what he does. Such as in the last interview where he says, "for me evolution isn't a theory any more" suggesting that a scientific theory is a mere hypothesis. Also at about 3:00. Biology is digital already, he is not making it digital. Raw genes are fully digital at the genetic level, in the full strong sense.

[benthemiester]

Almost let it slip at 02;46 Dawkins old boy.

[TheJohnskinner]

Most of them (the scientists) do not believe in the existence of an absolute person or god who controls the laws of nature,

rather they simply concern themselves with the principles by which different elements interact,

But they make no reference to the ultimate direction which makes such interactions possible.

They have no relevant questions or answers in this regard.

They never care to know the maker of these laws.

-Prabupada

[sinachiniforoosh]

@TheJohnskinner there are no laws, laws are what we attribute to the nature in order to understand her behavior.

[faunflynn]

Dawkins addresses the problem of a possible "Amyclaean Silence." in the future juncture of Mol Bol, Genomics and nanotech. Which is probably the biggest problem we face in our future.This has been on my mind a lot of late Interesting stuff.

Thanx for posting and KUDOS !

[Ashitakaandsan]

Thanks for the upload!

[dunnonuffink]

Hmm..so Venter's afraid the price of oil will drop. That'd mean the price of his fuel would drop too. Is this Exxon-Mobil ventriloquising? I'd hate to see Venter labs/Exxon manage to get sweeping patents on genomics processes - it'd be like Caxton being allowed to patent the use of moveable type, instead of just patenting the design of his printing press.

Since he's partly funded by the petrochemical industry AND the US govt, likely he'll get whatever patent he wants. No cheap power!

I dunno.

[Ashitakaandsan]

@dunnonuffink

Go on

[faunflynn]

@dunnonuffink Given that Venter's solutions are based on genetic technology he can't patent them all. It's quite easy to set up variants on biomechanical/biomolecular processes.. unless of course he patents an entire class of processes but I just don't see that happening cuz he could never be sure he'd covered all the variations [ it's a virtually infinate molecular toolbox.]

Bloody good point though, if oil companies steal the tech nothing will change.A hellish prospect indeed.