Genetic engineering has created new life forms, with biotech companies crossing genes between species in ways never before possible. Lab-created genetic material has pushed the technology even further, enabling companies to create life forms in the lab from the basic building blocks of DNA.

Now a graduate of the MIT Media Lab, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, has come out with a home gene tinkering kit that she calls Amino, according to Wired. The kit’s developer Julie Legualt acknowledges she has no science background or lab experience but came to the MIT lab as a designer.

While Legault says the kits are intended for non-scientists, many observers have raised concerns about unregulated uses of genetic engineering and synthetic biology, including potential health risks and problems that could arise when gene-altered species interact in the environment.

But Legault says the kits are intended to educate the public about genetic engineering and synthetic biology and make the technologies more accessible. By giving people a hands-on experience, she says, they can better understand the technology and overcome their concerns.

The Amino kit comes fully stocked with a color-coded plywood dashboard and the material needed for gene tinkering, including DNA, bacterial cultures, agar culturing plates, incubators and various sensors used to monitor cell development.

Amino is similar to the Arduino circuitry kits, but replaces wiring and programming with DNA and bacteria. The kit includes “apps” that give users step-by-step guidelines for creating novel organisms. The app instructions guide users through inserting genes into natural bacteria and then through the steps of incubating and monitoring the gene-altered organisms.

One app, called Living Nightlife, shows users how they can use gene tinkering to transform a dull e. coli bacteria into a glowing bacterium, using genes from fireflies. Legault plans to introduce more apps for making scents, brewing beer, and creating art. The kits currently cost $700.