[leggomylibro]

I dunno; we have access to all kinds of fascinating and exciting technologies today. You could get going with CRISPR for 5 large, if you do your research and buy secondhand equipment. We have 50F capacitors today in a package that would only fit a few mF in the past. You can order a few square inches of custom-designed PCB for about $1.00 these days, including shipping.

I guess that CRISPR requires extensive research and planning to target genes, pick out restriction enzymes, make gRNA, etc etc, but that's all freely available through public resources like the NCBI. When it comes to taking advantage of a global supply chain and centuries of incredible innovation, we are really standing on the shoulders of giants. And how long will it be before someone takes advantage of that low barrier of entry? History says: "not long."