The Wellcome Trust has invested Rs 117 crore (approximately £10 million) in a groundbreaking project to create human DNA from scratch. The Synthetic Human Genome Project aims to develop a fully synthetic human chromosome as proof of concept for human DNA synthesis.
Scientists from top UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College, are working on this ambitious project. Their goal is to create all the genetic information necessary for human life by building it from scratch.
Experts believe that the technology could be rapidly commercialized, raising concerns about its safety and ethical implications. “The genie is out of the bottle,” warned Professor Bill Earnshaw, a genetic scientist at Edinburgh University. “We could have a set of restrictions now, but if an organization with access to machinery decides to start synthesizing anything, I don’t think we could stop them.”
However, the project’s director, Dr. Julian Sale, is optimistic about its potential benefits. He stated that the technology could lead to therapies improving people’s lives as they age and reduce disease.
The researchers hope to use this approach to generate disease-resistant cells for repopulating damaged organs, such as the liver, heart, and immune system. Studying how genes and DNA regulate our bodies may also help identify when they go wrong and develop better treatments.
While some experts are concerned about the potential risks, others express optimism that the technology could lead to a better quality of life for people. The project’s success could pave the way for significant advancements in medicine and our understanding of human biology.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/science/controversy-erupts-as-scientists-start-work-to-create-artificial-human-dna-8774112