Synthetic Human Genome Project gets go ahead

The work began on a controversial project to create the constituent elements of human life from zero, in what is supposed to be a first world.

Research has been taboo so far due to concerns, this could lead to babies of creators or unforeseen changes for future generations.

But now, the largest medical charity in the world, the Wellcoma Trust, has given a first £ 10 million to start the project and says it has the potential to do more good than harm by accelerating treatments for many incurable diseases.

Dr. Julian Sale, from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, who is part of the project, told BBC News that research was the next giant biology jump.

“Heaven is the limit. We examine therapies that will improve people’s lives as they age, which will lead to healthier aging with less disease as they age.

“We are looking to use this approach to generate cells resistant to the disease we can use to repopulate damaged organs, for example in the liver and heart, even the immune system,” he said.

But criticism fear that research will open the way to unscrupulous researchers who seek to create improved or modified humans.

Dr. Pat Thomas, director of the Beyond GM campaign group, said: “We like to think that all scientists are there to do good, but science can be reused to do evil and for war”.

Details of the project were given to BBC News on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the completion of the human genome project, which has mapped human DNA molecules and was also largely funded by Wellcoma.

Each cell in our body contains a molecule called DNA that carries the genetic information it needs. DNA is built from four much smaller blocks called A, G, C and T, which are repeated over and over in various combinations. Surprisingly, it contains all the genetic information that makes us physically of us who are.

The human genome project allowed scientists to read all human genes as a barcode. The new work that takes place, called the synthetic project of the human genome, in fact potentially a giant leap forward – it will allow researchers not only to read a DNA molecule, but to create parts – perhaps one day all – molecule by molecule from zero.

The first objective of scientists is to develop means to build ever larger human DNA blocks, to the point where they synthetically built a human chromosome. These contain the genes that govern our development, repair and maintenance.

These can then be studied and experienced to find out more about how genes and DNA regulate our body.

Many diseases occur when these genes are mistaken so that studies can lead to better treatments, according to Professor Matthew Hurles, director of the Wellcome Sanger Insitite who sequenced the greatest proportion of the human genome.

“The construction of DNA from zero allows us to test the functioning of DNA and to test new theories, because currently we can really do so by refining DNA in DNA which already exists in living systems”.

The work of the project will be limited to tubes and test dishes and there will be no attempt to create synthetic life. But technology will give researchers an unprecedented control over human life systems.

And although the project is looking for medical services, there is nothing to stop unscrupulous scientists who abuse technology.

They could, for example, try to create biological weapons, improved humans or even creatures that have human DNA, according to Professor Bill Earnshaw, a highly respected genetic specialist at the University of Edinburgh who designed a method for creating artificial human chromosomes.

“The genius came out of the bottle,” he told BBC News. “We could have a set of restrictions now, but if an organization that has access to appropriate machines decided to start synthesizing anything, I don’t think we can stop them”

Ms. Thomas is concerned about how technology will be marketed by health care companies developing emerging research.

“If we manage to create synthetic parts of the body or even synthetic people, then who owns them. And who has the data of these creations?”

Given the potential abusive use of technology, the question of Wellcoma is the reason why they have chosen to finance it. The decision was not taken lightly, according to Dr. Tom Collins, who gave the green financing light.

“We wondered what was the cost of inaction,” he told BBC News.

“This technology will be developed one day, so by doing so now, we try at least to do it in a way as responsible as possible and to face ethical and moral questions in an initial as possible”.

A dedicated social science program managed in tandem with the scientific development of the project and will be led by Professor Joy Zhang, sociologist, at the University of Kent.

“We want to have the opinions of experts, social science specialists and in particular the public on how they relate to technology and how it can benefit them and to import questions and concerns,” she said.