Yesterday we reported on the strange new science of synthetic biology.

This is where researchers not only shuffle genes from one organism to another, they actually design and create new genes, and potentially build entirely new organisms that have never existed in nature.

For many this raises important questions about control and regulation and a coalition of environmental groups has called for a moratorium.

But at the same time the costs of the technologies needed to carry out this advanced biological manipulation are falling so suddenly amateurs are able to take part.

Science editor David Shukman reports.

Read more on David's blog

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