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Wow, I never even though of this before, but the implications are staggering. Adding new, unnatural base pairs to DNA makes it possible to extend the genome in ways that have never even been considered by life on this planet. Well, as far as we know.

The article says they found one base pair that worked (were duplicated properly), I wonder how many other base pairs could be inserted. Whether it’s controlled by a single, flexible property or a set of very specific properties.

Another interesting aspect (depending on what’s being made) is to mark tailored DNA with these new base pairs, which would make ‘upgraded’ DNA easier to detected.

“The law of unintended consequences is what happens when a simple system tries to regulate a complex system.”

A long, but interesting read about algorithmic computing.

This really makes me sad. After seeing Brokeback Mountain, Heath quickly became one of my favorite actors in Hollywood. I really hope The Dark Knight will be an adequate tribute to his outstanding skills as an actor.