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An ambitious project to create synthetic human DNA from scratch has been launched in the UK. It has been backed by the world’s largest medical charity, the Wellcome Trust, with an initial £10 million. Despite the controversy, researchers are confident that it is the next breakthrough in biology.
As the BBC reports, this is the Synthetic Human Genome Project. The project aims not just to read human DNA, but to learn how to create it entirely artificially, molecule by molecule. The first stage is the synthesis of DNA fragments up to the size of entire chromosomes, which regulate the growth, development and repair of the body.
A little more about the project
Exactly 25 years ago, the Human Genome Project was completed. This is the study that made it possible to decipher the complete human genome. Now, thanks to new synthesis technologies, scientists are moving from reading to creating human DNA. This opens a new era in medicine and at the same time requires new ethical rules.
One of the project participants, Dr. Julian Sale of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, called the initiative «a giant leap in biology.» He said potential applications include creating disease-resistant cells and repairing damaged organs, including the liver, heart and immune system.
At the same time, the project raises concerns. Experts warn that the developments could be used not only for treatment, but also to create «improved humans» or even biological weapons. «The genie has been let out of the bottle,» says Professor Bill Earnshaw of the University of Edinburgh, who worked on artificial chromosome technology.
Pat Thomas, director of the Beyond GM campaign, also criticizes the initiative: she warns of the risk of commercialization of the technology and manipulation of patent law: «Who will own synthetic organs or even created humans? And who will own the data obtained from such bodies?»
Wellcome Trust financiers explain their decision as an attempt to control the inevitable progress. «This technology will be developed anyway — it’s better to do it now and responsibly,» said Dr. Tom Collins, who gave the project the green light.
To take public opinion into account, a team of sociologists led by Professor Joy Zhang from the University of Kent will work alongside the scientific part of the project. She will coordinate a public debate on the ethical risks and potential benefits.
As a reminder, our feed also featured material about Parabon NanoLabs, Inc. This is an American company that provides DNA phenotyping services for law enforcement agencies. The company has begun cooperation with Ukrainian organizations to help find relatives of Ukrainians who died during the Russian military aggression.
