The man who decoded the human genome strikes again!

Dr J. Craig Venter, the man responsible for decoding the human genome, was making a bold speech to the UK audience tonight. The show aired on BBC and was called "A DNA-Driven World" and was the 32nd Richard Dimbleby lecture.

Now, I'm no "Genomic Expert" but I do have an interest in how these new technologies can make a difference. The research that is being performed at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is potentially some of the most groundbreaking of our lifetime, mine certainly! The topics of "Human Genomic Medicine", "Environmental Genomics", "Synthetic Biology" and "Biological Energy" are definitely areas which are innovative and cutting edge. From zero emissions, on to eliminating waste, right up to curing cancer. Next we'll have "Quantum Genomics", which will really baffle the majority of the world's population.

Throughout the whole lecture I believe he captured his audience and really pushed home the message that he was not a "nutty professor" but a pioneer in his field who really believed in what he was doing. It could have been seen as a "playing god" speech about human genetic design and how in the future we shall be skating on that, ethically, thin ice. Alternatively, it may well be perceived as a brilliant and passionate scientist trying to change the world for the better. To do what most of us always wanted to do. To clean up the planet not just for prolonging the human species' existence but for every species.

A crazy and eccentric solution seemed to have been presented, but saying that, don't all the best ideas come from people thinking "outside the box". Visionaries! Einstein was one, Edison another. Maybe it's about time we gave way to someone else who would like to put their radical theories into practice, especially if they have a set of solutions which can be applied to a multitude of different in need situations.

Ignoring these issues could prove fatal in the long run. Whether it be us or another species potentially under threat. But we are the ones leaving the footprint, and we are the ones who can make a real difference. Therefore we have to take it seriously or risk entering the realm of no return, where the damage cannot be undone. And face it! Everybody likes a challenge!

Related links

J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)
Wikipedia - Genomics

Home Design…. creating the ideal home for people or for robots?

Where have all the houses with character gone?

These days the only houses being built are flat packed, box roomed, standardised ones which strip people of their individuality. Where you end up becoming just “another brick in the wall” as Pink Floyd said, as part of the production line. Now I don’t know about you but I’d rather give that one a wide berth.

There is still hope though. For lurking in the shadows of the design world there are more innovative housing solutions that will, and have been, allowing us to break free from societies mould. A range of diverse projects that are being set up globally to tackle both individual curiosity and the vast eco-arena.

Container City are just one of the many that use modular initiative to help cater for the urban environment. With a number of container projects available in locations UK wide, plus many more in the works, they are definitely providing another cheaper and greener alternative to today’s overpriced, bloated housing market.

Narbonne, on the south-east coast of France, is also one place which will be a well and truly established city on the map due to their plans for a completely zero CO2 neighbourhood. With 650 eco-homes up for grabs it will, without doubt, be a revolution in the making. It goes without saying that this project will capture and influence communities throughout the world.

Amongst these new age concepts are many individuals who have chosen to stray from the set path and take on life changing projects of their own. These people are paving the way for a brighter, cleaner and better future for us all.

Related links

Container City
Treehugger - Narbonne ‘du Theater’ neighbourhood
Grand Designs - Trade Secrets – Channel 4 design show

First things first....

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening Planet Earth!

I wecome you to my new blog, Skwobble, and hope you enjoy or even have something to say about the issues I will raise within. What I intend to do is to question todays ethics and morallity by putting forth my thoughts, opinions and suggestions on what I believe the world is either doing wrong, or right, therefore, continue to heighten the issues and awareness of them.

The problem with the world today is the tunnel vision we all have, which then makes the bigger picture far more hard to see. There is nothing wrong with a focused mind, as long as you don't trample on the things that lay in your path.

You may agree or disagree with what I say but know this, my opinion, your opinion and the people around the world's opinion count in the larger scheme of things to come. One voice may not be heard by the masses but can cause a ripple! This is what I have set out to acheive!