Minecraft could be the ultimate biotech learning tool.
Kids that play the game are already used to crafting – taking blocks of stone, wood, ore and creating novel tools and materials on a crafting table – and brewing – creating potions by adding ingredients to water bottles in a brewing stand.
It would only take a mod to make it easy to extracting DNA from every living organism in the game, then mixing/remixing those genomes. TeamDNA’s Advanced Genetics was one of the first mods to add genetic science to Minecraft.
TeamDNA dropped the project (because they had other projects to work on) but it’s just a matter of time before sheep get the Creeper hiss, Skeleton Archer’s DNA makes cows, pigs and sheep shed their skin and entire biomes are transformed through the simple addition of glow stone-mutated zombie DNA.
The Great Game of Thrones Dragons. There are no clones in fantasy stories.
So you want to clone a dragon?
Before you can clone anything you have to have a copy to work from and because dragons do not yet exist, you’re going to have to bio-engineer one first.
But before you start the biological design process that will result in your dragon, you need to remember this complex living organism does not exist in nature. And we’re just at the very beginning of accurately engineering microorganisms. We’re not yet experienced enough to engineer a reptile though I suspect the genome editing tool CRISPR will get us closer, UBER for cross-species genetic engineering even closer.
You’ll need to decide what traits you want: big or small? Wild or docile? Winged? Then there’s the whole fire-breathing thing.
Nothing in nature breathes fire and fire destroys. Your Dragon Clone will need to be fire resistant.
Living organisms that are fire-resistant don’t exist. The most extreme extremophiles, half-millimeter-long nematodes that live beneath the mines of South Africa, are only heat and pressure tolerant. The most heat-tolerant complex animal known to man, the four-inch long Pompeii worm clings around the smokers of the hydrothermal vents of the Pacific Ocean mountain ranges. It can tolerate hot waters at a temperature of 80°C.
To create a creature that not only breathes fire without damaging itself will take some substantial-bioengineering. Surprisingly though, DNA itself is a natural flame retardant and suppressant. Maybe there are lessons from the Pompeii worm and DNA’s flame retardant abilities that you can use to line the throat and nostrils, coat the tongue of your little bio-engineered dragon.
What about creating a flame? Again, nothing in nature breathes fire.
How will virtual reality change our view into DNA synthesis?
With a head-mounted display interface to mixed reality, you will not only hold DNA in your hand, you will watch the way your modifications are translated into proteins. As amino acids are added to your protein, separate algorithms will tell you whether your product folds correctly and interacts with your receptor target.
Afraid of the future? Wonder why? Probably because you don’t know what’s ahead and you can’t control what you don’t know. That lack of knowledge fuels your fear and anxiety. The antidote? Focus on the present and embrace the unknown. What makes you uncomfortable makes you stronger.
It is so much easier to consume, accumulate, and continue distracted than it is to stop, create and take action. So, then, the first step is to turn off, disconnect and take a few deep breaths. Then wait. Feel uncomfortable and listen. The next action will be clear.
With the National Security Agency’s new open source face recognition API, take a selfie, upload it to their database and begin searching for your twin(s).
Armed with a series of matches, create photographs and profiles based on available online data and post to your heart’s content.
Bonus points for using genomic information to find your twin(s).
In my world, Dr. Alimantado (born Winston Thompson, AKA The Ital Surgeon) and his Best Dressed Chicken in Town was my introduction to reggae long before I realized the power of Catch-A-Fire-Bob-Marley, Legalize-It Peter Tosh and Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn BreadLee “Scratch” Perry.
Public Image Limited’s Jah Wobble’s reggae-influenced thunk-punk bass, morphed into dancehall and reggaeton drilled into my heart, mind and body at live shows and tropical Central America trips where Marley was always and will probably always be blastin 24/7/365.
Now, right now, it’s Deadbeat’s To Berlin With Love electro-Berlin Dub reggae, Bunji, and Major Lazer. What about tomorrow?
Memory of citrus blossoms scattered by the dry Santa Anas. Scent of eucalyptus trees planted as wind breaks. Skeletal lemon and avocado trees reaching thirsty to the sun that shriveled them dry.
In kindergarten, first and second grade, my reading buddies were fourth and fifth graders. I started reading to younger kids when I was in fourth, fifth. But starting in sixth grade, the assignments were made by OSIS and based on reading level and need. I read to kids all over the City. Young kids from Tottenville, Cambria Gardens, Bay Terrace and other neighborhorhoods who had no one to read to them, so I would. Via tablet. After a few minutes, I’d look over and often find them sleeping. As I got older, kids didn’t want me to read, they wanted to know where I lived and what I was into. I was the same way, I wanted to talk games. And that’s how I met…
I’ve been the king of excuses and distractions. The expert of hiding behind work and business drama, family and online shopping. New ideas for books, novels and other businesses appear, get started but never finished… It’s no wonder the muse has stopped visiting. What about you?
