Scientists sound alarm over lab-made human DNA as ‘God-like’ project moves forward

Scientists have taken a bold and controversial step to create synthetic human DNA from scratch, some critics’ move like ‘playing God’.

Research aims to unlock new treatments for autoimmune disorders, heart failure, viral infections and age -related diseases.

To do this, scientists develop tools to create large, complex parts of DNA in the laboratory and put them in the skin cells to observe how they function.

The ultimate goal is to build all human chromosomes, a fundamental step towards assembly to assemble a synthetic human genome.

However, the project led to ethical and security concerns. Experts warn that technology may have disaster risks leading to biological weapons or genetically designed ‘designer babies’.

Professor Bill Earnshaw of Edinburgh University, “ Genie came out of the bottle, ” he said.

‘If an organization with the right equipment decided to synthesize anything, I don’t think we can stop them.’

Dr. Pat Thomas added: ‘Although many scientists have good intentions, science can be damaged and even redesigned for war.’

Each cell in the human body contains DNA, which is molecule carrying genetic instructions for life, except for red blood cells.

DNA consists of only four chemical bases known as A, G, C and T. These letters repeat in countless combinations to create a code that shapes everything from eye color to disease risk.

For the next five years, teams from Oxford University, Cambridge, Kent, Manchester and Imperial College London will cooperate to create and test synthetic DNA in the laboratory.

Short -term goals are to better understand how DNA affects human development, health and aging.

Instead of organizing existing yarns, scientists build an unprecedented control to discover the genetic function and test new biological theories by building DNA from scratch.

This research can help the creation of the disease -resistant tissues, and to reveal repair techniques for organs such as heart or liver.

Dr Julian from Cambridge from Mrc Molecular Biology Laboratory, ‘This is about developing treatments that improve people’s lives as they get older.’ ‘He said. BBC.

Dr. Sale also added that technology also allowed researchers to discover the ‘dark matter’ of the genome, which is not coded by proteins but can play a critical role in cellular function, with the extensive, less understood DNA regions.

Although medical treatments are still years away, it can lead to new treatments such as virus resistant tissues, organs grown in the laboratory or advanced cell -based drugs.

Professor Matthew Hurles of the Wellcome Sanger Institute said why some cells caused the disease and how to correct them can revolutionize treatment by revealing how to correct them.

Although medical practices are still years away, researchers say that the study ultimately leads to breakthroughs such as virus -resistant tissues, laboratory growing organs or advanced cell -based treatments.

‘Building DNA from scratch allows us to test how the DNA works and test new theories, because we can only do this by changing DNA in existing life systems.’

This approach can also lead to progress beyond the human genome.

Iain Brassington, a professor of philosophy at the University of Manchester, emphasized the potential of creating synthetic mitochondria, which can help women with hereditary mitochondrial disorders to have children without relying on egg donors.

However, Brassington warns serious consequences if technology is abused. For example, laboratory bacteria designed to cleanse fat loss or digest the plastic may cause destruction if released to the environment.

‘Such insects can be a disaster to enter the environment,’ he said.