By Redaction ARPS Media with BBC
Researchers have initiated a controversial project to create the building blocks of human life from scratch, supported by a £10 million grant from the Wellcome Trust.
The aim is to develop therapies for age-related diseases and create disease-resistant cells for the repair of organs. However, there are concerns about the potential for unethical practices, such as creating designer babies or biological weapons.
The project, detailed on the 25th anniversary of the Human Genome Project, will focus on building DNA molecule by molecule, initially targeting larger DNA segments and eventually whole chromosomes.
Although the research will remain within laboratories and does not involve creating synthetic life, the risks of misuse and commercialization weigh heavily on the initiative. A parallel social science program will assess public opinion on the project’s implications.
Read original article at: Synthetic Human Genome Project gets go ahead
