Scientists launch controversial project to build human DNA from scratch
A ground-breaking and contentiouseffort to construct human DNA from scratch is underway, backed by a £10 million grant from the Wellcome Trust. The Synthetic Human Genome Project (SHGP) aims to create artificial chromosomes, potentially unlocking cures for incurable diseases by engineering disease-resistant cells for organs like the heart and liver.
But critics warn of ethical minefields. The technology could enable “designer babies,” biological weapons, or even synthetic humans raising questions about ownership and misuse. “The genie is out of the bottle,” warns geneticist Prof Bill Earnshaw.
Supporters argue the benefits outweigh the risks. “The cost of inaction is too high,” says Wellcome’s Dr. Tom Collins, noting parallel ethics research to address public concerns.
As science pushes boundaries, the world watches: Will this redefine medicine or humanity itself?
