# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (Oct 15, 2012)

* A paper was shared discussing the relationship between brain size and cancer via reduced apoptosis, with subsequent discussion about theories that cancer-related retrotransposon activity might contribute to human adaptation during environmental stress.

* A case of fraudulent stem cell research was discussed, with links to articles in Nature and Japan Times about debunked stem cell transplant claims, leading to a broader conversation about research fraud increasing over the previous decade.

* Kanzure shared resources for DIY biology equipment, including a YAML file listing necessary equipment (http://diyhpl.us/cgit/skdb/plain/doc/BOMs/diybio-equipment.yaml) and a link to bioinformatics.org/pogo/ for DNA synthesis.

* The conversation covered various DNA sequencing technologies, including nanopore-based methods being developed by numerous startups and photon-based methods like those used by Pacific Biosciences that detect light signals when polymerase processes base pairs.

* Participants discussed current transhuman modification possibilities, noting that beyond experimental options like finger magnets, legitimate medical technologies include cochlear implants, prosthetic limbs, digital vision systems, stem cell treatments, pacemakers, and some gene therapies.