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British researchers are beginning a bold venture in creating human DNA from scratch in a laboratory in an effort to learn more about how our genes function and possibly come up with new treatments for disease. The five-year Synthetic Human Genome project will be undertaken by scientists at leading universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial College.
The group, spearheaded by Professor Jason Chin, has already produced the complete genome of E. coli bacteria and now turns its attention to the human genome, much more complicated with more than three billion DNA base pairs. By building enormous chunks of human DNA in the laboratory and implanting them into living cells, scientists believe they can reveal the secrets of the genome’s enigmatic “dark matter” – huge regions with unspecified functions.
One possible result of this study might be the creation of virus- and immune system-resistant cells, promising a new hope for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and chronic liver damage. But in conjunction with the scientific study, a concurrent study will examine the ethics of creating lab-created genomes. This will be conducted by Professor Joy Zhang from the University of Kent, who will debate what is and isn’t permitted in this field.
Some of the experts, such as Professor Iain Brassington of the University of Manchester, are embracing the project but issue warnings that some risks may be involved. For example, bacteria synthesized to destroy pollutants could pose unintended effects if they were to escape into the environment. Another concern is the potential for designer babies, with parents choosing certain genes for their offspring. Although these phobias sound like science fiction, they illustrate the necessity for thoughtful deliberation and regulation.
Despite these setbacks, scientists hope that learning about the human genome in detail may result in revolutionary medical breakthroughs. By constructing and trying out segments of human chromosomes in skin cells, scientists hope to crack open the secrets of the genome and open doors to new therapies.
