Life at the speed of light : from the double helix to the dawn of digital life / J. Craig Venter.

Renowned scientist and author of "A Life Decoded" examines the creation of life in the new field of synthetic genomics.

In 2010, scientists led by Venter became the first to successfully create "synthetic life," putting humankind at the threshold of actually writing the genetic code for designing new species to help us adapt and evolve for long-term survival. He presents a fascinating and authoritative study of this emerging field from the inside, detailing its origins, current challenges and controversies, and projected effects on our lives.

New York, New York : Viking, 2013.

224 pages ; 24 cm

Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-212) and index.

Dublin, 1943-2012 -- Chemical synthesis as proof -- Dawn of the digital age of biology -- Digitizing life -- Synthetic Phi-X174 -- First synthetic genome -- Converting one species into another -- Synthesis of the M. Mycoides genome -- Inside a synthetic cell -- Life by design -- Biological teleportation -- Life at the speed of light.