Self-directed evolution: Conversation with Craig Venter

Nathan Gardels | WorldPost | February 12, 2014

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J. Craig Venter is best known for sequencing the human genome. He recently spoke with The WorldPost:

WORLDPOST: With what you call the “dawn of digital life” and the fusion of the digital world with biology, you say we are entering a new phase of evolution? What do you mean?

J. CRAIG VENTER: Biological evolution has taken 3.5 or 4 billion years to get us where we are. The adaption of our species to the social environment — social evolution –- has been must faster. Now that we can read and write the genetic code, put it in digital form and translate it back into synthesized life, it will be possible to speed up biological evolution to the pace of social evolution.