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The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

the-odin.com

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Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#41

Post by atemerev »

giantg2 wrote: post #32
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

Well, their products are really expensive (like, outrageously expensive for a hobbyist). From them, I only bought geneticin and something else relatively unsophisticated; if I can source the compounds I need literally from anywhere else, I'd be better doing that.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#42

Post by Sporktacular »

tombaugh wrote: post #21

As a parent of a child with a genetic disorder for which it is perfectly possible to develop a therapy using current technology, I'm delighted to see that biohackers are stirring things up. Let's hope this inspires the industry to rethink their approach to drug development.

I'd imagine they'll stir up the pharmaceuticals market as much as meth cooks did. If someone makes an actual advancement with these kits, watch him get bought out tout de suite.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#43

Post by fabian2k »

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)

It's very easy to give bacteria certain antibiotic resistances, the mechanism is pretty much identical to the one used to make them green fluorescent in these kits. You transform the bacteria with a plasmid, they take this up and produce proteins from the genes on it. Those plasmids in the kit almost certainly have some antibiotic resistance on them anyway, that's the way you filter out the succesfully transformed bacteria.

The good news is that the resistances you can give this way are typically present in nature already. Bacteria are already exchanging these kinds of plasmids. And the bacteria you get in these kits or generally use in the lab are also harmless to humans.

I don't think you could effectively design a bioweapon with the stuff you have in such a kit. That would require a lot more knowledge, effort and material. I think at best you'd be able to create a resistant bacterium similar to those that already occur sometimes in the wild.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#44

Post by Idiot_in_Vain »

epups wrote: post #31
Idiot_in_Vain wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Yeah, a "regular university" signs up students right off the streets of Siria.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#45

Post by cosmojg »

People always forget—chemistry exists everywhere! And if a lab can buy it, you (probably) can too.

Anyway, hopefully this goes somewhere and we start seeing more DIY scientists running amok. It's high time for move fast and break things, biology edition.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#47

Post by niemandhier »

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.

Yes but keep in mind that in Germany an s1 time share lab ( including equipment ) of 25m2 can be rented from 10€ per square meter.

That is less than you pay rent.

They really want people to do bio stuff.

https://www.bio-security.de/s1-s2-labore-bueros-mieten/

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#48

Post by fabian2k »

kevviiinn wrote: post #38
fabian2k wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

There are restrictions on the sale of dangerous chemicals, and in general the vendors that sell chemicals simply don't sell to private persons at all. I'm not sure where the exact legal boundaries are, and whether the typical stuff you need for genetic experiments falls under some restriction. In general the chemicals you need for that aren't that dangerous, so they might not be restricted by law, but you still will have trouble getting a reputable vendor to sell to you as a private person.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#49

Post by sigtstp »

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.

This offering seems largely educational, this stuff being what people learn in bioengineering degrees anyway. And this stuff isn't really plug-and-play :) Most beginner attempts will simply fail (e.g. dead target organism, no change to desired traits, etc.). Any serious bioengineer (incl. ill-intentioned ones) would have more advanced equipment and knowledge anyway.

Re: The Odin – DIY genetic engineering

#50

Post by atemerev »

Sporktacular wrote: post #37

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.

Yes. There will be autonomous weapon platforms everywhere regardless of our desires, both from nation-states and non-state actors. To defend from them, you might want to understand how they work, and how they are built.
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