Garage biologist or terrorist?

Recently, someone pointed me on an issue of Labyrinth, a program casted by the VPRO. Labyrinth is a program about scientific developments and ideas.
The issue on the 21th of April, 2010, was about DNA. Not that I know that much about it, but apparenly there's a lot of cutting and soldiering in the DNA of animals and people.




Already, this is used for example to do research about diseased which occur because of 'bad' parts of DNA. Another usage of DNA technology is making bacteria that produce substances such as insulin. First, insulin had to be taken out of pigs, but letting a bunch of bacteria produce it for you is far more effective, efficient and animal friendly.

However, the world is ready for a new step. As the DNA structure of people is known, and laboratoria are able to create parts of the DNA, this technology can be used to change the whole world. For example: plants use photosynthesis to create energy out of sunlight. We get our energy out of food. But it would be far more economic to get our energy out of the sunlight too! However, people have to be green for that (because you need chloroplasts to do photosynthesis, which are green). But maybe, in a few years, we can create something on buildings that uses photosynthesis to provide the building with energy. Also, a lot is possible in fighting diseases and creating new medicines.

But not only official laboratoria are playing with DNA technology. It is possible to buy pieces of DNA via the Web. There are hobby biologists that are experimenting with DNA to maybe create something that can help mankind. However, it is therefore also possible for people with evil minds to buy pieces of DNA. And if it is possible to create good, it is also possible to create evil. Just think of bio weapons. (I have to admit that suppliers of DNA parts track the backgrounds of all their customers)

Another negative side of DNA technology is that it is really expensive business. Therefore, when organizations isolate parts of DNA, they apply for patents on those parts. If there's a patent on a piece of DNA, no one can use this anymore for research. Also, no universities. So this holds up science! But the alternative is making all the knowledge available - on the Internet too. That would make it very easy for evil minds to abuse the knowledge. Therefore it is a very though issue.

What do you think about it?
Is it a good thing that DNA is buyable on the Internet?
Should we keep dealing in patents, or should we make all knowledge available - for everyone?