From: Eugen Leitl (eugen@leitl.org)
Date: Mon Dec 30 2002 - 02:10:36 MST
On Mon, 30 Dec 2002, Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
> You need a gynecological ultrasound machine, the basic equipment of an
> OB/GYN office, some needles, syringes for collecting the ova, then a
> cell culture microscope, cell culture equipment (centrifuge,
> incubator, laminar flow hood, flasks, media, and other disposables)
> for growing and harvesting the nuclei, a micromanipulator (pneumatic),
> freezer, all in all, could be a couple hundred thousand $ if new and
> top of the line, but I am sure you could cobble together a cheaper set
> from second-hand sources.
Costs could be considerably cut by buying used. (Most of 21CM and CCR
operated that way). Wonder how many sources of used equipment are now
watched in wake of 911, since dual use.
What is interesting is that how easy germline gene engineering is with the
new technique (efficient uptake of DNA fragments by sperm and high rate of
correct insertion). It takes far less resources and technique than cloning
(which really isn't that interesting).
With some more resources one could screen for correct insertion, asserting
that only transformed embryos (what out for teratological changes due to
insert and the screen itself) would be carried out.
Meaning, some rogue group like Clonaid or similiar could be doing it with
nobody being the wiser. Of course, I can't think of anything known which
would result in actual relevant enhancement. Ideas?
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