this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2025
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How big is its genome? There isn't much in a virus.
People can replicate a lot of them from purely data.
How many distinct genomes are there that we include under the label "smallpox"? It's also a great deal more complicated than simply storing the genome - much as gene expression in humans is more complicated than simply "this is what the DNA says", it's also more complicated than that for viruses. We're finally to the point that we can simulate interactions, but it's -absolutely- not a trivial thing to do (supercomputer shit) and simply saving the source material prevents any risk of loss of information.
FTFY
It's actually very real machines, doing extremely well controlled chemical reactions, and no AI unless you count all computer software as AI (ok, processors have neural networks controlling them nowadays, so just "normal" amount of AI).