this might sound a bit ridicolus but im compleetly serious

[Xander maddoX]

maybe i watch waaaaaay to much si-fi ch. but i was wondering, with all the developments and research into genetics and DNA manipulation. is it possable to somehow on some level, in some way manipulate a persons DNA so that the under go a "sex change" on a molecular level. i mean they can clone ppl now but its illegal and the can tinker with the DNA of a person before they are born so what about afterwards? just curious about some alternitives to SRS, albeit a bit extreem and possibly farfetched..

now before some of the haters here on the board call me retarded for asking such a question, i realise how ridicolus it sounds. further more i never studied genetics so i dont know all the restrictions and possiblities. if youre gonna shoot me down at least be intelegent about it

[hard_pack]

I dont know didly about that stuff either, but I wouldnt doubt that one day in the future it could happen... I mean who knows... just about anything is possible, right?

[River]

Todays science fiction, is tommorrows science fact.

[Ecstatic]

Oh, I definitely think it's coming. SRS is just the beginning. Designer bodies are on their way.

[SASHA FOXX]

ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW

[Texxx]

the quick answer is no, it cannot be done. there are too many cells to be able to do that. if you use recombinent DNA you could change a few cells assuming you found the correct enzyme to "unzip" the dna at the exact point needed. the problem is attaching the right pieces. at any given momennt there are millions of cells dividing, so getting an exact foreign strand to attach is problematic. you could do one cell outside of the body, and implant it and it will multiply, but it will be miniscule compared to the other millions.
the problem is when force dna to come apart it is hard to make it attach to that you want on a large scale. you are opening the body up to countless mutations.

[Xander maddoX]

you are opening the body up to countless mutations.

mutations huh......... like adamantium claws?, or lazer eye beams?, or the gift of flight?, or teleportation?, or................ :D

[kalina]

Sounds like DNA modification is much more likely doable before a person's born rather than on a person already born. That means it's up to the parents to decide what they really want, a boy or a girl.

[mark4tg]

yea the movie GATTACA is a lil more realistic in realms of DNA manipulation, than the idea that you could do it when ever. the body isnt molecular play-doh.

[WillowQueen]

Truth is, most of us don't have the background knowledge to know what happens. Personally, I think don't think it's a possibility... nevermind the cost that it would take if it were possible.
Sounds a little like the movie Paycheck where they were shooting out memories from Ben Affleck's head.

[Rod]

OK here is the only way genetics could help with a sex change.. you could grow the desired organs and then through surgery and the proper hormone treatment you could do it. the problum it that you cant make the male organ just turn in to the female reproductive system without surgery and hormones. i think that is the easiest way to put it unless someone else is more familier with the field.

[Chris]

Rod's got it closest. With a combination of cloning technology and surgical application srs will become something that is a true modification of fully functional genitalia.
When you do any type of transplant the immune system must be suppressed to prevent rejection of the tissue. With a cloned organ however you have no issues with rejection. Simply (although nowhere near simple as of yet) cloning the needed organ from your own tissue and then altering the dna to provide genitals of the other ilk will eventually result in a perfect matched opposite physical gender set of organs.
What I think is really cool is the fact that this will allow people who have nonfunctioning organs to be able to have children.
There is some talk about being able to totally "redesign" a human using telomers to prematurely age healthy cells while replacing them with tailored new cells. Telomers are basically the part of cells that say how many times to reproduce before stopping. Telomerase therapy is being used to combat the HIV virus as of right now.

I look forward to the future :D

[WillowQueen]

But haven't there have been problems with cloning? Poor Dolly.

[Chris]

It's still a new science but organ cloning has had a bit more success (sadly it's so far only ears, and other small things that can be "built")

On the other side of cloning is it me or is it REALLY funny that the first thing cloned was a sheep and that it was the Scottish who did it? What the two scientists couldn't share? :shock: :D

[Xander maddoX]

i cant beleave how awesome the discussion has been on this topic. i thought for sure someone would post a long tirade on how silly of a question this was. that being said.. thanx to evryone for their insight. next to time travel, this is one of my favorate subjects.

[River]

Time Travel? Dr.Who FTW!.

[WillowQueen]

Heh, time travel. On that, I'd have a little more insight. But of course it's all just theories.

[River]

Well enlighten us my dear!

[WillowQueen]

Well people always argue about the grandfather paradox which is just silly if you ask me.
If you don't know what I'm talking about let me explain. If you go back in time and kill your grandfather it means that you wouldn't be born, therefore you couldn't go back in time to kill him, which in turn means you're still born, etc. etc. This is, of course, ignoring freewill. Pffft, silly. Look by changing the past you've created an alternate reality in which you exist in another time period and you're grandfather dead. There is no way to get back to your original dimension, you are cut off. Simply by going back in time has altered history thus creating the reality. In this explanation I interchange dimension and reality so people can get used to it.
Future travel? Never considered it... the future is unwritten, change it to your hearts content.

[River]

Interesting, I have my own theories about that. Alas until we actually travel through time it is only conjecture.

[River]

Interesting, I have my own theories about that. Alas until we actually travel through time it is only conjecture.

[Texxx]

so...you're saying that if time travel were possible, we would never be able to return to the original time in which we left?

[River]

Think she meant, and I'm only guessing. Is that we could go back to in time, but once we changed it there would be a branching an alternate future. Then if there was a branching how would we get back to our original future.

[WillowQueen]

Well Texxx is correct. Simply by going back in time changed it. You are existing in another time. This brings up another thought. If you time travel would your position remain fixed... meaning the world will move while you remain where you are so you'll end up elsewhere. Perhaps even in the vast area we call space?
And I doubt time travel is possible. Ever. That's just what I think... but how would we know. That stupid alternate dimension already got all the interdimensional people! Man, I hate them.

[Texxx]

That stupid alternate dimension already got all the interdimensional people! Man, I hate them.

yeah! screw them! f!cking alternate dimension thinks they are better than us!

[Ecstatic]

Physicist to Dr Who: "Are you from outer space?"

Dr Who: "No, I'm more from what you would call Inner Time.'

- Stones of Blood

[Jordan]

Holy crap!! will there be an exam on this stuff? lol :roll:

[Texxx]

Holy crap!! will there be an exam on this stuff? lol :roll:
yep, and if you fail, you get spanked!
:)

ahhhhh, who am i kidding, i'd still spank you if you pass.

[Scott]

Most people that know me on a personal level know I could ramble for hours on subjects like this. It's easy to say that something is not possible when compared to current science knowledge.
Of course if our ancestors listened to "current science knowledge" there would be no sea, air, space travel (got doubts on the moon landing though) and things of that nature.
Most advaces need to be viewed outside the box. Look beyond the sight of the physical eye and see things with the mind's eye.
A very good book to read is called "Hyperspace" by Michio Kaku
very educational on subjects of this matter.


Scott