A Better Use for Science

Spies have secrets. Secrets they need to tell. Fortunately for the CIA, chemists and physicists are working overtime to meet their needs. From laser-generated photons embedded with quantum information beamed at satellites to crazy soda or coffee binding fluorescent compounds, their communication is safe. But how does a modern girl keep her messages safe and private?

How about CRISPR/Cas9? We seem to be able to use it for just about everything these days. OK, the technique is supposedly really easy right? Grow up your algae, cut the DNA with CRISPR/Cas9, pop in your message and VOILA! You are ready to ship to your BFF.

From a practice perspective, we would be adding to our local economy by utilizing either Illumina or Ion Torrent NextGen sequencing in our bedrooms. And, of course, we would have to purchase synthesized DNA from Synthetic Genomics for our messages. Lastly, we would also like an App for our phones – iOS and Android platforms – to read our private sequences.

As proof of concept, I offer my personal first messages. Remember you only have 20 letters not 26 so leave out those O’s and U’s.

HEARTMEIAMANEARTHGIRL

ALIENSLIVEHEREINLA

MYTEAMWINS (for all Cubs fans)

You can clone your own.