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Synthetic Human Genome Project
Synthetic genome: DNA from scratch
Context: A major UK-led initiative, the Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) project, aims to construct human genetic material from scratch to deepen understanding of DNA and develop next-generation medical therapies.
Background
- The original Human Genome Project (1990–2003) sequenced 92% of the human genome.
- Genome reading technologies have progressed, but genome writing remains difficult.
- Chin’s team previously built a complete synthetic genome for E. coli, comprising ~4.5 million base pairs—far less than the human genome’s 3+ billion base pairs.
Project Overview
- Objective: Build long sections of human DNA from scratch to better understand DNA function and develop future medical therapies.
- Launched with an initial £10 million grant from the Wellcome Trust, the world’s largest medical charity.
- Duration: 5-year research programme.
- Approach: Synthetic DNA segments will be inserted into living human cells, such as skin cells, to study genetic function.
- Participating institutions: Universities of Cambridge, Kent, Manchester, Oxford, and Imperial College London.
- Lead Scientist: Prof. Jason Chin (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge).
Objectives and Immediate Scope
- Short-term goal: Construct large blocks of synthetic DNA in test tubes and insert them into human cells (e.g., skin cells) to study gene function.
- Ultimate goal: Possibly construct a full human chromosome and eventually an entire human genome.
- Key areas of exploration:
- Gene function and regulation
- The so-called “dark matter” of the genome — unexplored non-coding regions.
- How genes interact in development, disease, and ageing.
- Open doors to next-generation therapies:
- Creation of cells resistant to immune attacks or viral infections
- Transplant-friendly cells for patients with autoimmune diseases or liver damage
- Synthetic mitochondria to prevent maternal inheritance of mitochondrial disorders.
Major Ethical Concerns and Scenarios
- Designer Babies: Risk of parents selecting traits in unborn children. Could lead to social stratification or revival of eugenic ideologies.
- Genetic Licensing: Celebrities potentially licensing their DNA. Raising bio-commercialisation concerns.
- Synthetic Paternity: The Possibility of using someone’s DNA to create offspring without their involvement. Raises legal and consent-related questions.
- Environmental Hazards: Synthetic microbes (e.g., for oil spill cleanup or plastic degradation) could pose catastrophic risks if accidentally released. Emphasises the need for tight bio-containment measures.
