# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussion

• Researchers discussed advancements in DNA synthesis costs, noting that while Gen9's BioFab platform achieving 3 cents per base pair represents progress, it's still not affordable enough to make genomes disposable for widespread experimentation.

• The Human Genome Project-Write initiative was highlighted, emphasizing the critical need for low-cost, high-throughput DNA synthesis to enable experimentation with thousands of genome-length constructs rather than single examples.

• A "controlled enzymatic DNA synthesizer" was proposed as a technically feasible alternative to current methods, offering advantages including reduced dependence on synthetic chemistry, water-based processes, and potentially much lower costs.

• Maaku shared progress on a wearable audio recording project using a Weefun wristband that produces surprisingly good quality despite using 4-bit telephony audio with ADPCM compression, though with limitations in battery life.

• Participants discussed microfluidic technologies, specifically electrowetting for handling micron-sized droplets, with the suggestion that performing the process beneath oil rather than in air might solve evaporation problems.

• Concerns were raised about potential widespread errors in MRI research data due to software bugs in analysis tools, with one participant even suggesting that fMRI technology is "mostly bunk."

• There was interest in DIY scientific instrumentation, with one participant researching the current state of homebrew infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies.