Electronic chemical cells provide an exciting topic of public interest for a variety of reasons. The possibility for the creation of life and of novel life forms is an obvious focus of attention. This harbors points of interest
- As a scientific breakthrough redefining aspects of our understanding of life – in particular as an information process.
- As an ethical issue with implications for safety, the environment, exploitation rights, and our identity including religious sensibilities.
- As synthetic biology, artificial life, nanotechnology and IT at the center of key current scientific convergences such as Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno.
- As a powerful new technology linking nanoscale synthesis with information processing.
Life, but not as we know it. Chemistry World Press Article 2012 Hayley Birch