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The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

the-odin.com

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Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#31

Post by epups »

Idiot_in_Vain wrote: post #22
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean if you're worried about bioterrorism, I'm sure there are plenty of ways and means to do so outside of convenient packages like this for someone with enough motivation. I mean with enough motivation anyone (assuming they pass a background check) can pursue a degree in biology / genetics, get a job with access to a lab, and do the thing.

The same stupid argument applies to anyone who orders the kit - why not persue a degree in biology and get a job in a lab instead. Obviously the kit has many advantages. A terrorist organization, like ISIS can get their hands on a few kits, gather a few dozen smart guys and ask them to work day and night on creating say a "better" COVID virus they can spread in the West. They won't have problems supplying test subjec…

Alright but let's slow down a bit here... This kit is about plants, and it doesn't give you absolutely anything that those "few dozen smart guys" wouldn't have access to in a regular university. Meaning, if you have the inclination and resources to produce a deadly virus, this kit does not make it any easier.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#32

Post by giantg2 »

atemerev wrote: post #3

I am their happy customer. I have successfully grown fluorescent yeast, and reproduced the CRISPR bacterial genetic modification protocol. Their support is awesome. It is also possible to e.g. buy an old qPCR machine and corresponding perishables (I was slightly scared when a DHL truck delivered me a cold box full of dry ice), and run even more interesting experiments at home. And, you can open an account at Sigma-Al…

Now they're going be like "why is there suddenly a 10x increase in requests for individual accounts?" Haha

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#33

Post by hoseja »

sockaddr wrote: post #10

> 70% of the world’s population was killed by NEOBOLA-26 but at least they signed the EULA. I’m making fun, but this is one class of knowledge I’m worried about. However, outlawing it doesn’t seem like a solution either.

Only Fauci-funded Chinese laboratories have the right to manipulate pathogens!

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#34

Post by _yb2s »

bcherny wrote: post #7

Dumb question, as a layman vaguely scared by easy access to this kind of tech: how easy is it to engineer bad stuff using these kits? (say, drug resistant bacteria)

Engineering “bad stuff” with kits like this is virtually impossible. Synthetic biology is still difficult and expensive, and what can be done without a large budget for massive , robotically automated trial and error is still very limited.

That said, to help evolve antibiotic resistant bacteria all you have to do is not properly finish a course of antibiotics.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#35

Post by epups »

bcherny wrote: post #7

Dumb question, as a layman vaguely scared by easy access to this kind of tech: how easy is it to engineer bad stuff using these kits? (say, drug resistant bacteria)

This kit does not facilitate that kind of work. First of all, the expertise needed for the actual genetic engineering is packed here as a pre-made plasmid that has absolutely no way to be repurposed. Second, bacteria culture is something of an art and also needs expertise and specialized equipment to perform appropriately. What they provide here is not professional-grade at all.

Now, the really scary part is that pretty much any Biology undergraduate would have access to sufficient equipment and understanding to start exploring those ideas. Access to nasty viruses and bacteria is somewhat controlled now, and in theory you have to be part of a lab to be able to properly source and manipulate everything you would need. However, I think it is a much bigger risk than the average person would assume, and also one that is much harder to control because it doesn't leave an easily traceable fingerprint, like nuclear enrichment for example.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#36

Post by fabian2k »

kevviiinn wrote: post #23
m1d4s_ wrote: post #9

Really cool project, just worth mentioning that in some western countries ordering this stuff could lead to serious consequences and troubles with law. I live in Germany and would be afraid to get some of it.

Which parts or chemicals are restricted or watched?

Any genetic modifications would require an S1 laboratory in Germany, that is not something any private person could do. You would have to go to a university or company with an approved S1 laboratory to do such experiments.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#37

Post by Sporktacular »

About Us: "At The ODIN, we believe the future is going to be dominated by genetic engineering and consumer genetic design will be a big part of that."

At Cyberdyne Systems, we believe the future is going to be more autonomous, more intelligent and consumer built jet-powered laser-equipped battle bots will be a big part of that.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#38

Post by kevviiinn »

fabian2k wrote: post #36
kevviiinn wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which parts or chemicals are restricted or watched?

Any genetic modifications would require an S1 laboratory in Germany, that is not something any private person could do. You would have to go to a university or company with an approved S1 laboratory to do such experiments.

My assumption based on their statement was that something being sold is restricted. AFAIK you can do genetic modifications at home in the US

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#39

Post by JPLeRouzic »

eternityforest wrote: post #28
sockaddr wrote: post #10

> 70% of the world’s population was killed by NEOBOLA-26 but at least they signed the EULA. I’m making fun, but this is one class of knowledge I’m worried about. However, outlawing it doesn’t seem like a solution either.

We need some way to detect germs in realtime, without knowing in advance what they are, so people can evacuate buildings that have them. There's gotta be some miniature electron microscope that can look at viruses in the air or something, right?

It may be possible to detect Covid-19 with Nanopore's Minion?

Rapid and Accurate Detection of SARS Coronavirus 2 by Nanopore Amplicon Sequencing. Xiao-Xiao Li and al.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35464969/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanopore_sequencing

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#40

Post by sigtstp »

Loveaway wrote: post #5

Interesting. So how hard is it to get yeast to make certain substances normally found in lets say plants or fungi? :) All I've heard it's been done before.

Engineering arbitrary modifications is incredibly difficult, due to a myriad of factors, like working against evolutionary optimizations, lack of knowledge of the target organism, reaction pathways that don't go quite like we've sketched them, unspecific enzymes, etc. The success stories you read about are a very small fraction of all attempts. And like another user said, some things are easier than others.
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