[p2p-research] bio is tech bk

[Ryan Lanham]

The particularly interesting thing about DIYbio to me is that it is as much
a breadth science as an analytical/depth one alone.  Unlike, say, physics,
or even economics, there is no need for great analytical and/or mathematical
prowess to be a serious biologist.  Of course it helps to know some
statistics and to be good at spacial geometry for biochemistry, but what is
needed is often fairly straightforward--someone with the general science
training of a physician can hope to do work that is at the edge.  Further,
computers can be great assistants in this area today...not someday.

As with garage manufacturing, it is feasible that there will be large
numbers of distributed bio-companies doing everything from purifying cooking
oils to making small batches of nanoparticles, cleaning microbes or
concentrated flavors.  For obvious reasons, regulations in this area become
an issue.  Someone messing with weaponable materials is obviously a problem.

I'd recommend those contemplating distributed manufacturing consider adding
DIYbio to their portfolios.  It's an obvious link.  There will also be
combination areas...e.g. laying down organs through ink-jetting stem cells
onto forms.  Replacement biology alone is a huge area of near-term promise.
One can see this by the fact that advances are coming broadly from a wide
range of institutions globally.  It isn't just at CERN or Harvard, etc.
where things are popping.  Again, breadth sciences/technologies have the
likelihood of moving much faster...as when edge physics could be done on a
notebook in Copenhagen or Zurich as opposed to in a giant machine nations
have to coordinate to build.

Ryan


On 2/22/10, Michel Bauwens <michelsub2004 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Bryan Bishop <kanzure at gmail.com> Feb 15 12:03AM -0600 ^<http:///?ui=2&view=bsp&ver=1qygpcgurkovy#126d16926442f959_digest_top>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Randy <bebobio at gmail.com>
> Date: Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:40 PM
> Subject: Biology is Technology - book review
> To: DIYbio <diybio at googlegroups.com>
>
>
> This is a book review that may be of interest to the DIYbio community.
> The author, Rob Carlson, is intimately involved with DIYbio, in fact,
> as proof of principle he has started his own successful garage biotech
> company.
>
> The main premise of this book is that biology is a transformative
> technology that will depend on amateur/garage/DIY for innovation. The
> book spans a wide variety of topics, from synthetic biology and IGEM,
> to biology as an engineering discipline, and the future applications
> of biotech in regards to human health and bio-fuels, including a
> comparison of open source software and "open biology".
>
> Carlson uses the examples of aviation and computer science as a
> touchstone for the possibilities that lay ahead for innovation in
> biotech.
>
> Check out his company's website:  http://www.synthesis.cc/
>
> And the website for his book:  http://www.biologyistechnology.com/
>
> In summary, it's well worth the price of admission to buy the book and
> take advantage of the voice of experience. Rob Carlson offers a
> critical and open minded view of the possibilities of garage bio, as
> well as the pitfalls that may await.
>
> --
> Work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhurakij_Pundit_University - Think
> thank: http://www.asianforesightinstitute.org/index.php/eng/The-AFI
>
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>
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-- 
Ryan Lanham
rlanham1963 at gmail.com
Facebook: Ryan_Lanham
P.O. Box 633
Grand Cayman, KY1-1303
Cayman Islands
(345) 916-1712
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