Spider Goat, Spider Goat

<b>Does what ever a Spider Goat does. </b>

I watched this programme on BBC2 and I was amazed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01b45zh

They have massive leaps forward in genetic engineering. To the point where they can take genes from a spider that control the manufacture of silk. Implant the genes into a goat so that the goat will produces spider web silk proteins in it's milk. After milking they separate the silk from the milk and we are left with a method of mass producing an incredibly strong natural substance that could be used in a massive range of medical breakthroughs. Spider Goat silk may help treat medical conditions that currently stump us.

The programme goes on to explore synthetic life and all the crazy stuff that kitchen and garage biologists are up to. Everything from creating artificial glowing bacteria (previously Nobel prize winning work, now average first starters play experiment) to creating artificial squid skin on a metal plate.

The entire biological science landscape has changed. The show highlights dozens of potential amazing benefits and does a good job of balancing this by considering the possible dangerous negative consequences. The ball just appears to be starting to roll. Just like the explosion on IT I think we will see an equally dramatic society changing growth in the bio tech field.

Comments

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