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Comment by m1d4s_ | Hacker News Reader

Really cool project, just worth mentioning that in some western countries ordering this stuff could lead to serious consequences and troubles with law. I live in Germany and would be afraid to get some of it.

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Do they even ship outside the USA?

Nevermind all the chemicals, just shipping the plant itself internationally for that kit might be impossible.

It's a shame, the EU is so technologically backward and anti-science.

EU is what now?

don't you remember that the covid vaccine was invented by Americans? oh, wait a minute...

Actually yes, the technology for mRNA vaccines was largely invented in the United States starting in the 1980s. [0] It has since been refined by multiple international commercial teams.

0: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02483-w

yes, the US played a role, but so did germany, where biontech is based. That is why it's not accurate to say "the EU is so technologically backward and anti-science", just like you couldn't say the same about the US.

Designed by Turks, developed by Germans, produced by Americans. It's like the exact reverse of the usual way products are made haha.

Coincidentally I remember watching a series of YouTube videos where the Odin people actually created their own COVID vaccine.

Yes, they do ship outside the USA (I ordered their kits from Switzerland, they arrived in a few weeks).

Which parts or chemicals are restricted or watched?

Any genetic modifications would require an S1 laboratory in Germany, that is not something any private person could do. You would have to go to a university or company with an approved S1 laboratory to do such experiments.

My assumption based on their statement was that something being sold is restricted. AFAIK you can do genetic modifications at home in the US

There are restrictions on the sale of dangerous chemicals, and in general the vendors that sell chemicals simply don't sell to private persons at all. I'm not sure where the exact legal boundaries are, and whether the typical stuff you need for genetic experiments falls under some restriction. In general the chemicals you need for that aren't that dangerous, so they might not be restricted by law, but you still will have trouble getting a reputable vendor to sell to you as a private person.

I'm very aware that there are restricted and watched/reported chemicals and equipment but the GP claimed that ordering this stuff will get you a visit from law enforcement which implies that they are aware of which things the site is selling that are restricted or watched.

I asked specifically what are they selling that is restricted or watched

Yes but keep in mind that in Germany an s1 time share lab ( including equipment ) of 25m2 can be rented from 10€ per square meter.

That is less than you pay rent.

They really want people to do bio stuff.

https://www.bio-security.de/s1-s2-labore-bueros-mieten/

your comment confuses me, I would appreciate it if you could please clarify - you rent a 25m2 lab for 10 euro/m2, so 25eur for the whole lab? For how long is this price? Per hour, day, week, month?

I read this as 250eur/month for a 25 m2 space.

This, 250 bugs per month for access to the lab. Some machines will have to be shared. It is intended that you get some even cheaper office space too.

Heating, electricity and some services are on top, but overall that is ridiculously cheap.

250 per month, I did not notice that the link is in German. Sorry for any confusion.

For comparison, that is about the price of a single room student flat.

I am curious how such business model arose?

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