In a step that could reshape medicine, British researchers have launched a project to build human genetic material from scratch. The work aims to uncover how DNA functions and develop future therapies for diseases.
Building DNA, One Piece at a Time
The Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) project will run for five years. Scientists from Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Kent and Imperial College will lead the effort. They aim to construct large sections of human DNA in laboratories and insert them into living cells.
Professor Jason Chin from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge is leading the research. He believes this project could help create future treatments for various diseases. These could include cells resistant to immune attacks or certain viruses, offering hope for autoimmune disorders and chronic liver damage.
Chin’s team has already created the full genome of E. coli bacteria. However, the challenge now is much larger. While E. coli contains around 4.5 million DNA base pairs, the human genome holds over three billion.
Aiming to Decode the Genome’s Dark Matter
Dr Julian Sale from the LMB highlighted how little is still known about vast parts of our genome. “If you can build genomes, you can fully understand them,” he explained. He referred to the mysterious ‘dark matter’ of the genome that holds unknown functions.
The project will begin by making parts of a human chromosome, testing them in skin cells. Alongside the scientific work, a parallel study will explore the ethical and social questions tied to lab-made genomes. Professor Joy Zhang from the University of Kent leads that effort.
“We’re still far from creating usable therapies,” Sale noted. “But now is the time to discuss what should and shouldn’t be allowed.”
Ethical Questions and Future Uses
Professor Iain Brassington from the University of Manchester welcomed the project but warned of challenges. He pointed out how the work could lead to synthetic mitochondria. These could help women avoid passing mitochondrial diseases to children without needing egg donors.
However, Brassington cautioned about risks too. Bacteria designed to break down oil or plastics could help the environment but must be tightly controlled. “If such bugs escaped, it could be catastrophic,” he said.
Concerns about designer babies also surfaced. Brassington suggested that, in theory, parents might use the technology to select their children’s genes. He even floated the idea of celebrities licensing parts of their DNA for others to copy.
Another possibility raised ethical alarms — someone’s DNA being used to create a child without their involvement. “It could happen without the person even knowing,” he explained.
Still, Brassington believes many of these fears are unlikely for now. “The worries about designer babies rely on technology that’s still very far off,” he added. “I won’t lose much sleep over that yet.”
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