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Over at Astral Codex Ten, the opposite Scott A. blogs intimately about a genetically engineered mouth bacterium that metabolizes sugar into alcohol somewhat than acid, thereby (assuming it really works as meant) ending dental cavities eternally. Regardless of good leads to trials with tons of of individuals, this bacterium has spent a long time in FDA approval hell. It’s within the information as a result of Lantern Bioworks, a startup based by rationalists, is now making an attempt once more to legalize it.
Simply one other bizarre concept that may by no means see the sunshine of day, I’d assume … if I didn’t have these micro organism in my mouth proper now.
Right here’s the way it occurred: I’d learn earlier about these micro organism, and was venting to a rationalist of my acquaintance concerning the blankfaces who maintain that and a thousand different medical advances from ever reaching the general public, and who sleep soundly at night time, congratulating themselves for his or her rigor in implementing nonsensical guidelines.
“Are you critical?” the rationalist requested me. “I do know the folks in Berkeley who can get you into the scientific trial for this.”
This was my second of determination. If I agreed to place unapproved micro organism into my mouth on my subsequent journey to Berkeley, I may reside my beliefs and probably by no means get cavities once more … however then again, associates and colleagues would assume I used to be bizarre once I informed them.
Then once more, I mused, 4 years in the past most individuals would assume you have been bizarre should you mentioned {that a} pneumonia spreading at a seafood market in Wuhan was about to ignite a worldwide pandemic, and in addition that chatbots have been about to go from ELIZA-like jokes to the technological powerhouses remodeling civilization.
And so it was that I discovered myself brushing a salty, milky-white substance onto my enamel. That was final month. I … haven’t had any cavities since, for what it’s value? Nor have I felt drunk, regardless of the ever-so-slightly elaevated ethanol in my system. Then once more, I’m not even 100% certain that the micro organism took, provided that (I confess) the germy substance strongly triggered my gag reflex.
Anyway, learn different Scott’s submit, after which ask your self: will you do this, as soon as you’ll be able to? If not, is it simply because it appears too bizarre?
Replace: See a Hacker Information thread the place the deserves of this new therapy are debated.
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