Once upon a time I would have found this news exciting. Now, given what I have seen happen with man-made drugs and genetically modified crops and other organisms. I find it terrifying.
When I see the assurances of us not having to worry about ungodly man made life forms getting out and running amok, why does the book and movie The Andromeda Strain immediately come to mind?
These assurances are coming from the same folks that told us not to worry about nuclear waste, that a cure for cancer was just around the corner half a century ago, and, most recently, that there was no threat to non GMO crops from nearby GM ones.
I would say that is pretty much three strikes and you're out!
Why do we hate nature so much and falsely believe that we are omnipotent to the point of trying to change it and risk destroying it - and OURSELVES - in the process? Regardless of what your religious beliefs may be, our life sprang from this planet - not this planet sprang from us. At best we are temporary custodians, and doing a very poor job to show that we merit the honor.
“Better to hunt in fields for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise for cure on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend.”
- John Dryden in the Epistle to John Dryden of Chesterton (l. 92)