DNA-Computer Analogies

Discussions revolve around metaphors comparing DNA to computer programs, code, software, or configurations, with debates on whether DNA functions like a long-running program or binary code shaped by evolution rather than human design.

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Keywords

CDNA RNA phys.org en.m hydrophobic.html ROM ycombinator.com wikipedia.org DNA dna half life genes gene cell sequence pairs half brains cells

Sample Comments

DonHopkins Dec 18, 2025 View on HN

How does DNA know about computers?

endtime Sep 27, 2010 View on HN

What does DNA have to do with it?

jacquesm Mar 10, 2017 View on HN

There is a DNA joke in there somewhere.

Tycho Jul 18, 2015 View on HN

Is this got something to do with how DNA molecules were formed?

splawn Jun 17, 2015 View on HN

sure you can, its all just DNA... it just takes waaay longer.

benihana Mar 6, 2015 View on HN

Because our DNA isn't a literal computer program written by humans in the past 50 years.

CerealFounder Feb 6, 2020 View on HN

Incomplete. Its all the DNA business.

srcmap May 16, 2019 View on HN

Sounds like they refactor the DNA.

The way I see it is DNA is much like a very long running program meant to run for millions to billions of years. Our current life is an instance of some code in the DNA. Due to the longevity of the purpose of DNA, and our short span in an instance, it is very, very difficult to ascertain what some parts may be about, or what it's for. Not to mention the high compressibility of information in DNA, some aspects might never really reveal themselves unless met with an instance in an environment

aszantu Aug 15, 2019 View on HN

wasn't there something about how it ruins dna unintentionally?