Scientists create synthetic life
In a giant leap for biotechnology, a team of scientists led by DNA pioneer Dr Craig Venter have successfully created the first artificial lifeform. Mycoplasma laboratorium is an entirely new species of bacterium, with a man-made set of genetic code - originating on a computer - and placed on a synthetic chromosome inside an empty cell. Using its new "software", the cell can generate proteins and produce new cells.
This breakthrough raises profound questions about the essence of life, with concerns about the technology falling into the wrong hands, being used to make biological weapons, or by scientists to "play God". Instead of having a genetic relative that it evolved from, the parent of this cell is a computer.
However, the potential benefits of synthetic genomics will arguably outweigh the dangers. The ability to rewrite the software of life will revolutionise the field of biology - leading to radical new vaccines and medicines, clean water technology, advanced biofuels and much more.*