On science!

[mmoa_writes]

Now what's this? A genetic cure for HIV? It could be hokum, but if it isn't there should be something on the New Scientist site/links. Wow. I wonder if they could do something about the propensity towards wisdom teeth growing in modern homo sapiens? I mean, bless their eager calcium hearts, but there isn't nearly enough space in my mouth and it's not like I'm returning to a raw diet or eating roughage anymore (I would have thought the appendix would have given them a clue).

Comments

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Can they cure it in chimps, too? Then no new mutations of that disease will come to plague us again.

Damn hairy apes. j/k.

[mmoa.livejournal.com]

Now there's an idea. I'm sure they could but whether they'd be bothered to is another thing.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

They don't....the chimp disease will once again mutate and more poor, sorry, unfortunate sonsobitches will die again younger than they otherwise might have.

I'm not holding my breath, mind.

[mmoa.livejournal.com]

No, me neither. When it comes to History (and thus matters of the future) humanity reminds me of a rhyming verse as told by a stuttering poet.

[flutterbyeaten.livejournal.com]

hmmmm that seems a bit scary really... god only know what is lurking around in the junk dna!

[mmoa.livejournal.com]

Yes, but just think of the underwater cities we could build if we reverted to aquatic primates again! That would be totally worth it.

[flutterbyeaten.livejournal.com]

hahaha I see your point. the science is a fantastic achievement though I think the news predicts that we will all die of swine flu (or as apiphile calls it piggysnuffles) in the near future anyway! the idea of switching on random dormant genes (as well as those you intend to switch on) terrifies me though

[mmoa.livejournal.com]

Good point - I'm guessing such a useful gene would have been switched off for some reason (if it was just a random occurence, would that decrease the liklihood of anything particularly adverse happening? *wonders*). I suppose it could trigger other bits of 'junk DNA', bits that might have fewer advantages.

Ah piggysnuffles... personally I think it's a great opportunity for some alternate futurism: just imagine the new balance of power if the pig-eating West finds itself with severely depleted populations and economies... You never seem to get a futuristic Islam depicted much in sci-fi: it could be a grand opportunity!

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Hn....no fire can work underwater.

Otherwise the cold war between the Union of Soviet Socialist Octopus Republics and the United Pods of the Pacific would be in its 13th millennium and counting.

[mmoa.livejournal.com]

Frankly sir, you have no vision!

(Plus, have you seen some of the creatures down there? Clearly evidence of some pretty extreme warfare already...)