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Mathematical Grammar of Biology pp 1–8Cite as

Introduction

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Abstract

We do not master DNA’s language yet, but the recent biotechnological advances have enable us to edit genome sequences pretty much the way a text editor modifies written language. In this Chapter, we contextualize our results, and argue that they should be taken in account whenever Synthetic Biology creates artificial DNA sequences.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    If we consider viruses as a life form, then we should include RNA as well, in which case Thymine is replaced by Uracil (U).

  2. 2.

    The analogy is not fully applicable. Hardwares are supposed to be unchangeable regardless their softwares; yet it is possible to change one species to another just replacing its genome [63].

  3. 3.

    Biological pathways.

  4. 4.

    Deleting and inserting DNA sequences wherever we want. The latest technology behind this is called CRISPR-CAS9. Originally, CRISPR-CAS9 is a prokaryotic system of defense, and it may be considered a genuine Lamarckian mechanism of evolution [58]. After been ridiculed for so long, Lamarck (1744–1829) is back [16].

  5. 5.

    Regulation for such godlike power is encouraged [1].

  6. 6.

    On May 13 2016, the New York Times published the article: “Scientists talk privately about creating a synthetic human genome.”

  7. 7.

    “Artificial” in the sense of “not found in nature.”

  8. 8.

    Avoiding mistake is one way to prevent disaster; however, little can be done to prevent an intentional catastrophe.

  9. 9.

    Or vice-versa.

  10. 10.

    Unfortunately, this evidence could not be assessed neither for nor against our hypothesis, because Dr. Venter’s group did not make their synthetic sequences publicly available.

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  1. Laboratório de Bioinformática Aplicada, Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Michel Eduardo Beleza Yamagishi

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  1. Michel Eduardo Beleza Yamagishi
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Yamagishi, M.E.B. (2017). Introduction. In: Mathematical Grammar of Biology. SpringerBriefs in Mathematics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62689-5_1

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