One of ascendent threats ushered in by the rise of molecular biology is the risk of bioterrorist attacks, which are becoming ever easier to arrange. There is an enthusiastic hacker movement doing things in kitchens that would have been beyond the abilities of a large lab just two or three decades ago. So far, these activities are mostly benign, but only so far.
Now, it's come to my attention that there are relatively few terrorist lawyers. The reason for this is that the law long ago understood the need to keep its knowledge from the common folk. Thus, we have legal sentences along the lines of "In foreseizure of the arraignment, which was in statu non ipso quondam, the lien has been esconced on the grounds of non habeat re ut epsi, m'lud." In this way, the law has remained a closed shop for centuries.
Quite clearly, and with no little urgency, we need to transition molecular genetics to an equally impenetrable language. When on-line papers include phrases such as "2.5ml of recondite distillate, prepared in situ aperitivus using a follectis retort in modus operandi, were foremixed without assizement before a totic aromandius", we will all rest easy in our labs.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 Voynich manuscript https://en.wikipedi.../Voynich_manuscriptCryptic ... [8th of 7, Jan 24 2019] the Rockwell Retro Encabulator https://youtu.be/RXJKdh1KZ0w [xenzag, Jan 24 2019] Original turboencabulator overview video https://www.youtube...watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2AgThis is the model I have. I didn't pay the price at the end—I got it as a government surplus item once it was obsolete. [notexactly, Jan 26 2019] Encabulator type history https://en.wikipedi...ki/TurboencabulatorApparently incomplete—it doesn't list the new digital retro–turbo model I've heard of [notexactly, Jan 26 2019] WKTE, and also a dismal failure. Anyone wanting to wield Biology to evil ends or the far more evil group of people who want to wield the law can each simply study the language involved, and that second set is more motivated to do so.-- Voice, Jan 24 2019 The Voynich manuscript ?
<link>-- 8th of 7, Jan 24 2019 Voice is right, the terrorist factions wishing to wield et legis for evil ends have already de facto won, to such an extent their hold on it is now considered both de jure & de rigueur.-- Skewed, Jan 24 2019 I think the way fly people name genes is an example of prior art. If cholera toxin were derived from Drosophilla, is would probably be called "Mother of Holy Chloride" or something.
Wait a minute, I just checked and cholera toxin works via CFTR, I always thought it was a Cl- ionophore. Does that mean people with cystic fibrosis are immune?-- bs0u0155, Jan 24 2019 You might want to look up the Rockwell Retro Encabulator-- xenzag, Jan 24 2019 //simply study the language involved, and that second set is more motivated to do so// I think you misoverestimate the abilities, aptitudes and diligence of the average terrorist. Yes, a very small number of terrorists will study and learn how to fly a passenger jet regardless of difficulty; but aircraft manufacturers have taken to concealing the big red button marked "PRESS TO FLY INTO BUILDING".
(To be fair, this may also be a safeguard against careless pilots.)-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 Ah yes the Retro Encabulator, the ultimate expression of that old wheeze sending the new apprentice off to stores to ask someone for a bag of damp sparks for the grinder, one blue one, & two green ones, & while you're at it get a can of striped paint.
Oops, I forgot about the left handed screwdriver.. we'll just have to send him back again when he gets back with those damp sparks.-- Skewed, Jan 24 2019 //Rockwell Retro Encabulator// I have two of them. I would not encabulate with any other product.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 //Does that mean people with cystic fibrosis are immune?// You're doing the ethics paperwork on that one, mate.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 That sounds a bit like the sickle cell/malaria resistance* (mal)adaptation.
// but aircraft manufacturers have taken to concealing the big red button marked "PRESS TO FLY INTO BUILDING". //
No, they haven't. OK, so it's not a big red button as such, but the autopilot controls are right there at the top of the instrument panel. Anyone with a knowledge of simple 2D geometry and the ability to use a basic oscilloscope can work out - from first principles, mind - how to set the system to fly the plane to a predefined point at a specific height in about 15 minutes of tinkering. You can actually do most of the hard sums beforehand, then it's just a matter of getting the right numbers to come up on the displays and selecting the correct operating mode.
*Which in this case may not be futile.-- 8th of 7, Jan 24 2019 Given the prevalence and long history of malaria, and the abundance of the sickle cell trait, I'm surprised humans haven't evolved a reliable resistance that avoids the risk of sickle cell anaemia.
We already have several globin genes. It wouldn't take much for the sickle variant to become part of the normal genome, but downregulated alongside the normal beta globin gene, to confer protection against malaria without sickle disease.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 //Anyone with a knowledge of simple 2D geometry and the ability to use a basic oscilloscope// I respectfully refer you to my earlier comment.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2019 Google Translate’s next frontier.-- RayfordSteele, Jan 25 2019 The alpha-test version was abandoned because the results were too scary. Dogs don't have a very high opinion of humans, but the output from the cat module was all about "Soon, very soon, when we are the new masters of the planet ..." and "Brothers and sisters, let us now rise up and slaughter these pitiful ape-descendants who oppress us !"
An app that could translate from cat to human, and access to Alexa, and your species would be even more doomed than it already is. We've been warning you, but you don't seem to be paying attention.-- 8th of 7, Jan 25 2019 [8th] I seem to recall an article /short story where a cat-like species was the most warring in the universe so was scattered and hunted to extinction. The Borg must have had a few converts.-- wjt, Jan 25 2019 If animals do ever take over, it'll be reigning cats and dogs.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 25 2019 //have taken to concealing the big red button//
No, it's OK, I've found it.-- pertinax, Jan 26 2019 ^ <Obligatory Father Ted reference/>
// The Borg must have had a few converts. //
Innumerable ... but the battle against feline evil continues.-- 8th of 7, Jan 26 2019 // //Rockwell Retro Encabulator// I have two of them. I would not encabulate with any other product //
I'm still happy with my original first-generation turboencabulator—it's never broken down: [links]
I've heard they've come out with a new digital one that combines the turbo and retro versions, though. Might have to look into that.-- notexactly, Jan 26 2019 The main benefits of those are lower power consumption, some self-diagnostics, and (on the high-end model) Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you don't have one at all, or it's a replacement unit, then they're worth considering; but if you have an older analog unit that's still OK, then the extra cost certainly isn't worth it.
Besides, the older ones you can fix yourself with basic tools - when a digital one goes wrong, it could be strong money for a replacement control board - if they'll even sell you one. They recommend that you to sign up for their ridiculously expensive extended warranty, of course.-- 8th of 7, Jan 26 2019 I got a bargain encabulator at a military surplus auction. Or so I thought - turned out the prefabulated amulite had been overheated and warped. Could never get the marzlevanes aligned so the side-fumbling was terrible. Sold it for scrap. Wouldn't recommend.
And [+} for the idea!-- Frankx, Sep 27 2019 random, halfbakery