The word DNA computer conjures up scary images of a living computer that will take over the world. Well, things may be so simplistic in fiction but they certainly are not so simple in real life. Despite the fact that we know a lot about DNA, we still are not in a position to manipulate it to create computers as and how we require.
Today, semiconductor technology makes use of silicon and its characteristics to give us a good computing experience. There is a growing realization that the biology is going to be the next big thing in the world of electronics. The human DNA contains a huge amount of information and a lot of DNA goes into the human body.
In an ideal situation, we should be in a position to manipulate DNA and make a computer function in an intuitive manner.
The biggest problem with use of DNA in computing technology is the huge costs involved. Decoding a DNA strand takes a lot of time. It requires a lot of computing power. Ironically, the best device to manipulate DNA and the huge information it possesses is a DNA computer itself.
There is a school of thought that believes that applying computer and computing design philosophies that focus on silicon to biological components like DNA may not work. According to such persons, attempts to create DNA computer are not working simply because people are using the wrong set of tools.
Quantum physics is an interesting example of how established theories go out of the window when dealing with something new. Today, it is possible to measure the breadth of human hair without even using it. Traditional logic cannot understand and explain these developments.