THERE has never been an information explosion like it. Researchers have already deciphered the complete genetic blueprints for one insect, two mammals, dozens of bacteria and a staggering 833 viruses. And more genomes are on the way: the umpteen billions of letters of DNA code now sitting in computer databases are just the start. The computing power needed to handle it all is reckoned to be doubling every six months.
That this mind-boggling quantity of information is going to transform medicine and biology is beyond doubt. But could some of it, in the wrong hands, be a recipe for terror…
