The gene machine
An innovative way to make very long strands of DNA
IN A science-fiction movie called “Species”, a mysterious signal from outer space turns out to describe the genome of an unknown organism. When the inevitable mad scientist synthesises the DNA described by the instructions, the creature he breeds from it turns out to resemble Natasha Henstridge, an athletic actress. Unfortunately, the alien harbours within her lissom form the destructive powers of a Panzer division, and it all ends badly for the rash geneticist and his laboratory.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “The gene machine”
From the March 23rd 2002 edition
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