Scientists create first living organism with artificial DNA
Source: opposingviews.com
Scientists Create Artificial DNA, Expand Genetic Code Of Life
Scientists in California have developed a truly life-altering breakthrough.
Chemical biologist Floyd Romesberg and his team created an artificial extension to the genetic code of DNA and successfully implemented that extension into a living organism. Put simply, these scientists expanded the genetic code of life.
DNA, which carries the genetic instructions for all life on earth, is written in a code of four base letters – A, T, G, and C. In all living things, G pairs with C and T pairs with A to create genes. Every form of life around you is created using a combination of these pairs -- until now.
Rosemberg and his team successfully engineered new DNA ‘letters’ – called X and Y for simplicity’s sake – and were able to get E coli bacterial organisms to incorporate the new letters into their own genetic code. The E coli organisms recognized the artificial DNA as their own, and even passed it on to future generations.
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