Researchers in the US have developed the first synthetic living cell. Their work, which many scientists have called a landmark study, is a key step towards the design and creation of new living things. BBC News examines the issues raised by this controversial breakthrough.
Have these scientists created synthetic life?
They are calling this a synthetic living cell. But they did use an existing cell as a template and as a recipient for their home-made DNA. Strictly speaking, it is only the genome - the DNA in the cell - that is entirely synthetic.
This bacterial cell, the researchers say, is the first life form to be entirely controlled by synthetic DNA.
The researchers also employed "nature's tools" to build their new chromosome (the package of DNA that contains all of the genetic material the cell needs to live and function).
They chemically constructed blocks of DNA then inserted them into yeast cells, which assembled the blocks into a complete bacterial chromosome.
Some critics have accused Dr Venter and his colleagues of "playing God" and believe that it should not be a role for humans to design new life.
There are also concerns about the safety of this new technology.
"But the risks are also unparalleled," he continues. "We need new standards of safety evaluation for this kind of radical research and protections from military or terrorist misuse and abuse.
These could be used in the future to make the most powerful bioweapons imaginable. The challenge is to eat the fruit without the worm."
Continue reading -
BBC - 'Artificial life' breakthrough announced by scientists
WIRED - Scientists Create First Self-Replicating Synthetic Life
There goes a whole new paradigm!
Craig Venter unveils "synthetic life"
Craig Venter and team make a historic announcement: they've created the first fully functioning, reproducing cell controlled by synthetic DNA. He explains how they did it and why the achievement marks the beginning of a new era for science.
No comments:
Post a Comment