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No More Parents: Humans Can Now Be Created Via Synthetic Human Genome, Say Scientists

By George Houston | Update Date: May 16, 2016 07:30 AM EDT

A research from scientists have now envisioned the construction of a human genome is at their disposal by manipulation of certain chemicals in order to build all the DNA found in a human chromosome. According to Times of India, the project was not aimed beforehand at creating people, just cells, and would not be restricted to human genomes. Rather it would aim to improve the ability to synthesize DNA in general, which could be applied to various animals, plants and microbes.

In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the genetic material of an organism. The genome contains DNA or RNA in RNA viruses.

The outlook is inciting both intrigue and concern in the life sciences area as it would result in the probability of cloning which would sidestep the need for biological parents in order to give life to a human being.

While the project is still in the idea phase and also involves efforts to improve DNA synthesis in general, it was discussed at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

The project was initially called HGP2: The Human Genome Synthesis Project, with HGP referring to the Human Genome Project. An invitation to the meeting at Harvard said that the primary goal "would be to synthesize a complete human genome in a cell line within a period of 10 years."

The federal government is being involved with the project as yet it is also without financial assistance. It has also been mentioned that various companies and foundations are also being tapped for contribution on the game-changing proposition.

A bioengineer Drew Endy from Stanford Universiy and bioethicist Laurie Zoloth from Northern University mentioned in their essay that, "Would it be O.K., for example, to sequence and then synthesize Einstein's genome? If so how many Einstein genomes should be made and installed in cells, and who would get to make them?" 

Drew Endy, a bioengineer at Stanford, and Laurie Zoloth, a bioethicist at Northwestern University, wrote in an essay criticizing the proposed project. "If so how many Einstein genomes should be made and installed in cells, and who would get to make them?"

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