Msj

Advantages
Performs millions of operations at same time
Good for parallel computing
Ability to use large amounts of working memory
1 gram of DNA can hold 1 x 10
14
MB of data

Or 145 trillion CDs
1 CD is 800 MB
Advantages
Cheaper
Lightweight
1 lb of DNA has more computing power than all
computers ever made
Low power used to keep in original state
Has ability to solve hardest problems in a matter of
weeks
Advantages
Environmentally friendly
Clean, readily available materials

Ethics
Terrorism and Government Control
Ability to release a virus to computers inside bodies
If nanobots fail inside of body, it could destroy a persons
organs that rely upon the bot
Overpopulation
With this technology people will live longer creating a
higher demand on resources


Ethics
Creation of superior race (cyborg)
Ability to use biocomputers to enhance certain abilities
Intelligence
Physical abilities
Age
These people will outperform the have nots who cannot
purchase the technology
Can be used like steroids but without the side effects
Ethics
Computers taking over
Biocomputers will eventually have the capability to solve
problems on their own without human intervention
This could mean a takeover by a Terminator type
creation
Would you put your life in the hands of a computer?
Computers today are not trustworthy at all times
Doctor malpractice



Disadvantages
Molecular operations are not perfect
DNA computing involves a relatively large amount of
error
As size of problem grows, probability of receiving
incorrect answer eventually becomes greater than
probability of receiving correct answer.
Sometimes there are errors in the pairing of DNA
strands
Simple problems solved faster on electronic computers

Disadvantages
Human assistance is required
Time consuming lab procedures
No universal method of data representation
DNA has a half-life
Solutions could dissolve away before end result is found
Information can be untransmittable
Current DNA algorithms compute successfully w/o
passing any information from one processor to the next
in a multiprocessor connection bus.

Medical Applications
In 2004, a group in Israel claimed to have created a
DNA automaton that can diagnose symptoms of
cancer and administer a therapy
In prostate cancer, and some others, diagnosis is based on
molecular signatures
It senses messenger RNA and can detect the
abnormal mRNAs produced by genes involved in
certain types of lung and prostate cancer.
An anticancer drug is released if an abnormal mRNA
is found
It is also made of DNA
Tumor related gene suppressed

Medical Applications
DNA computers known as computational genes
would be integrated into the genetic material
already in the patients cells
Computational genes are similar to ordinary gene
DNA markers
They will be programmed to react to a certain input with
a certain output
Replacement of coding for protein structure.
Designed a computational DNA molecule that
would answer 5 yes or no questions
Questions used to establish the typical markers of
whether or not prostate cancer was present

Medical Applications
If 5 yes answers were received, then there would be a
release of the drug.
The researchers successfully applied this to a test system
that recreates the typical molecular signatures of
prostate cancer in vitro
similar treatment on a test tube model of small cell lung
cancer.

This is what researchers hope is the beginning of the
future for smart drugs
Roam the body by fixing disease on the spot
It would sense a change in the environment and respond by
releasing biological molecules

Medical Applications
West Nile
Could be used to distinguish between the various viral
strains

Diabetes
Could monitor blood sugar levels and dispense insulin
when needed.

Medical Applications
May be several decades before such a system is
operating inside the human body will become a reality

Process of introducing genetic material into a person
would need to be considered carefully.
Bodies reaction may not be easily predicted
Computational Gene Challenges
Delivery of the DNA into cells and incorporation into
the patients' own DNA.

Keeping them from being treated by the immune
system as foreign invaders.

Artificial Intelligence

Conclusion