Thread: Create an animal

OK so i was wondering: we can alter our DNA to avoid diseases right?, DNA is also universal among living things it isnt specified in species or such. Right so does anyone know if it would be possible to construct a completely new animal by rewriting the DNA in an embryonic cell once we have worked out exactly what each gene does. Personally Id like to see a Pikachu but does anyone know if something like this would be possible

It is an intractable problem today because thus far, the developmental plans contained in DNA must closely match the cell configuration with which the DNA is contained. It would be something like assembling the material, components, tools, and equipment required to construct a building but then obtaining plans for a bridge and attempting to construct it instead.

Originally Posted by zendra

OK so i was wondering: we can alter our DNA to avoid diseases right?, DNA is also universal among living things it isnt specified in species or such. Right so does anyone know if it would be possible to construct a completely new animal by rewriting the DNA in an embryonic cell once we have worked out exactly what each gene does. Personally Id like to see a Pikachu but does anyone know if something like this would be possible

Possible, yes. Practical, probably not. Possible with current technology, big no.

We'll probably make totally novel life forms in the relatively near future, but it'll be baby steps. Think a novel single celled organism. A novel multicellular animal would be pretty far down the line.