----->>> The 15 yr project of scientists finally succeeds and the world's first 'synthetic cells' has been created, bacteria called Mycoplasma mycoides. The intimate chemicals were turned into living organism in an experiment conducted by the scientists. Such an achievement also increases the questions regarding the essence of life.
The bacteria's genes were made in the laboratory "from four bottles of chemicals on a chemical synthesizer, starting with information on a computer," said Dr. Craig Venter of J Craig Venter Institute and Synthetic Genomics.
The researchers improve the synthetic genome of M mycoides, with its million chemical letters, by bringing together shorter stretches of DNA, each about 1,000 letters long.
Remarking on the achievement Dr.Venter said, "It has changed my own thinking, both scientifically and philosophically, about life and how it works."
The synthetic bacteria have 14 "watermark sequences" attached to their genome as the inert stretches of DNA added to distinguish them from their natural counterparts. This bacteria is partially synthetic as the scientists had to follow the manmade genetic code inside a living cell.The cell not only acted as a container but had its own cytoplasm.
Scientists are now interested in creating algae that can capture carbon dioxide from the air and produce hydrocarbon fuels.
Julian Savulescu, Ethics Professor at Oxford University said, "This is a step towards ... creation of living beings with capacities and natures that could never have naturally evolved."
The researchers had tagged the synthetic DNA to be able to tell it apart, and checked as the modified cell reproduced to confirm that new cells really looked and behaved like M. mycoides.
The synthetic DNA cells can be created in such a way that they look and behave like Mycoplasma mycoides.
Barrack Obama asked that the commission develop recommendations about any actions the government should take "to ensure that America reaps the benefits of this developing field of science while identifying appropriate ethical boundaries and minimizing identified risks."
"All elements in the cells after some amount of time can be traced to this initial artificial DNA. That's a great accomplishment," said biological engineer Ron Weiss of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Experts warn of the risks as well as the benefits of synthetic biology. "We need new standards of safety evaluation for this kind of radical research and protections from military or terrorist misuse and abuse," said Prof Savulescu.
Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:16 pm by tjp
Subject: 1st living organism being created by scientist