First synthetic life

Scientists at the J Craig Venter Institute in Maryland, USA have created the world’s first synthetic life.

The team, led by Dr. Craig Venter, who previously worked on the human genome project, inserted a copy of a chromosome from the Mycoplosma Mycoides bacterium sequenced on a computer into a host cell. The artificial chromosome also contained genetic ‘trademarks’ inserted by the scientists. When inserted into the host cell the new chromosome then acted like computer software, directing the development of the host, to create what Venter calls ‘the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer.’ The cell has continued to divide, function and grow like a natural cell, replicating the DNA sequence of the artificial chromosome over a billion times.

Debate

Although Venter and the team haven’t ‘created life’ from scratch, having copied the DNA from one lifeform into another, the experiment has been praised as an important biological breakthrough. Advocates of synthetic life technology have claimed that the discovery will pave the way for scientists to create specially-tailored lifeforms which could be used as vaccines and biofuels. Others have warned that more research needs to be undertaken into the potential risks of synthetic life. The experiment has also sparked an ethical and philosophical debate about the definition of ‘life’, and Venter has come under criticism from the Catholic Church amongst others, who have said that the scientist is ‘playing God’.

Related links

• Read more about the project on the J Craig Venter Institute website
• Watch the announcement on You Tube

Your shout!

Does the ability to create life really mean scientists are 'playing God'? What do you think are the possibilities and dangers of this experiment? Share your thoughts in the comments box below