A team of scientists from leading UK universities has launched a controversial project to build human DNA from scratch.
Funded with ₹117 crore (£10 million) by the Wellcome Trust, the Synthetic Human Genome Project involves experts from Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College.
DNA, the fundamental blueprint of life, is composed of nucleotides carrying genetic instructions. The project aims to synthesize a complete human chromosome—representing about 2% of the human genome—as proof of concept.
“The sky is the limit,” said Dr. Julian Sale of the MRC Laboratory, Cambridge. “We’re looking at therapies to promote healthier aging and reduce disease.” He added, “We aim to generate disease-resistant cells for repairing organs like the liver, heart, and immune system.”
Professor Matthew Hurles of the Wellcome Sanger Institute said, “Building DNA from scratch lets us test how DNA truly works.”
However, critics warn of potential misuse. “The genie is out of the bottle,” said Prof. Bill Earnshaw. Dr. Pat Thomas of Beyond GM added, “The science could be repurposed for harm and warfare.”