Fascinating overview of some of the Frankensteinian ways science is progressing:

I disagree with the basic premise, though, that we need to “question” the directions this is going. Throw this to the political process, and it’ll be decided by the ignorant, the fearful, and the Bible bangers. Some of this stuff gave me pause—although I’m much more troubled by robotic cockroaches than mice with ears growing out of their backs—but this is science that will likely not get a fair hearing in the general public. I don’t think we’re mature enough to handle the questions that Wolpe wants to raise… which means that nations with more intelligent and educated political systems, or dictatorial ones, will eat our lunch in biotech if we let this become a political football.