Distributed Dirt Digging for Life-Extension Research 31
ReasonAtFightAging writes "When was the last time you really looked down at the ground you walk upon? The soil from your backyard - or the next street over, or a nearby graveyard, or the park across the way - could contain the key to advancing real anti-aging science: bacterial enzymes capable of repairing biochemical damage that accumulates with time and leads to age-related disease. So the dirt you stand on could contain a scientific breakthrough, and scientists want you — all of you, all around the world — to send a sample for analysis! One of the funding organizers notes: 'We're working hard to secure more funding to bring more manpower onto the project, so there is no danger of your sample being discarded because the researchers are swamped!'"
Hot damn! (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes, I knew there was a reason I live ~10 miles from it.
Grump
Excellent! (Score:2)
Namaste (Score:2, Funny)
I can help! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I can help! (Score:2, Interesting)
Disclaimer, I am not a member of this research group, but they are in the same building.
Re:I can help! (Score:1)
Swamped? (Score:3, Funny)
Shouldn't that be that the researchers are buried?
[rimshot]
Thank you, thank you; I'll be here for the rest of your life!
Irony... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Irony... (Score:2)
Then yes, you'll probably have to pay for that.
Re:Irony... (Score:2)
If you find a trillion dollar miracle cure from my dirt, what do I get out of it?
Re:Irony... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Irony... (Score:2)
Imortality (Score:2)
I don't want to work forever.
-GiH
Re:Immortality (Score:2)
If the alternative is death, sign me up! I can think of worse ways to spend eternity than correcting spelling errors on Slashdot!
Wonder what this guy's gonna think... (Score:2)
Re:Wonder what this guy's gonna think... (Score:2)
total rubbish (Score:3, Interesting)
This is just a publicity stunt to get some cash, or funding.
Re:total rubbish (Score:2, Informative)
I met the researcher at a seminar, as he works at my university, and they are analzying all of the donated samples. In fact, they have already isolated one target enzyme from a donat
Re:total rubbish (Score:1)
Or a lot of dirt.
Biopiracy? (Score:2, Interesting)
The first thing I thought of was: They want to recieve samples from all over the world (aiming for biodiversity), in order to build a huge DNA library (as is their stated goal) and, presumably, file patent applications and be granted patents (I did not find any IP policy on the sites I briefly browsed). Then, who would benefit from it all???
The donations they are inviting (free labor), that aim at obtaining biodiversity, look like a biopiracy [wikipedia.org] effort, wherein the idea of appropriation and "exploitation" wi
Re:Biopiracy? (Score:2)
Patents expire.
The dirt I walk on has no value to me beyond its ability to grow plants. These guys don't want enough that it reduces my ability to have a nice perennial garden.
If some company can grant me immorality (even at a steep price) in exchange for some
Re:Biopiracy? (Score:2)
I don't have a ton of faith in Big Pharmaceuticals not to lobby for patent extention when there are trillions on the line.
I'd say it isn't a bad idea to think about things like this.
Re:Biopiracy? (Score:1)
<IMNSHO>
Yes, patents expire so that, in exchange for the monopoly that was granted, the people can obtain some benefit.
But do they expire soon enough? Is the duration of the monopoly proportional to the benefits obtained by the people when it finally expires? In matters of health, should there be limits to the extent of such patent monopolies? Should the duration of the monopoly be the same, whatever the technogocial or scientific field in which a patent is granted?
One point is
What if they find something? (Score:5, Funny)
Thank you for the kind donation of a sample of dirt from your back yard. We are pleased to inform you that we have isolated a fascinating compound from it and consequently we will require a larger amount for further study. We'll bring in the backhoes and dumptrucks around 1:00 this Tuesday.
Sincerely,
The Biodesign Institute
PS - Have you considered getting a built-in pool? Now might be a good time.
Re:What if they find something? (Score:2)
SB
article contributor's name (Score:1)
Then when you click the link it goes to a page that is just like the ads in the back of magazines trying to get you to buy crap.
Did it strike anyone else that way or is it just me?
"Cities in Flight" (Score:2)
Is Biodesign expanding? (Score:1)