Perhaps I'm being cynical, but this seems to be touted as "artificial life produced" in the media - but as far as I can ascertain, the whole thing needs an already living entity as the precursor for this new artificial lifeform.
So, in fact 'life' can't really be made without pre-existing "life" in the equation.
I'm not trying to undermine this amazing discovery - I just don't think our manipulation of the building blocks of life really gets any closer to the elemental spark that mobilizes the elements that constitute DNA.*
What makes GCTA want to dance reproductively!?
ps...I'm sure the medical implications are enormous - just being philosophical (aka a PITA
!)
*EDIT: on re-read, obviously these kind of breakthroughs DO bring us closer
