<p>Venter calls the result a “synthetic cell” and considers it to open the way to creating useful microbes from scratch. Ventersaid: “the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer.” Other scientists too agree that he has achieved a technical feat in synthesizing the largest piece of DNA so far and in making it accurate enough to substitute for the cell’s own DNA.</p>.<p><br />Venter’s aim is to achieve total control over a bacterium’s genome, first by synthesizing its DNA in a laboratory and then by designing a new genome stripped of many natural functions and equipped with new genes that govern production of useful chemicals.<br />Venter’s assertion that he has created a “synthetic cell” has alarmed people who think that he has created a new life form. <br /><br />“My worry is that some people are going to draw the conclusion that they have created a new life form,” said Jim Collins, a bioengineer at Boston University. “What they have created is an organism with a synthesized natural genome. But it doesn’t represent the creation of life from scratch or the creation of a new life form.”</p>.<p> Three Indian-origin scientists are part of the team. The 24-member team includes Sanjay Vashee, Radha Krishnakumar and Prashanth P Parmar.</p>
<p>Venter calls the result a “synthetic cell” and considers it to open the way to creating useful microbes from scratch. Ventersaid: “the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer.” Other scientists too agree that he has achieved a technical feat in synthesizing the largest piece of DNA so far and in making it accurate enough to substitute for the cell’s own DNA.</p>.<p><br />Venter’s aim is to achieve total control over a bacterium’s genome, first by synthesizing its DNA in a laboratory and then by designing a new genome stripped of many natural functions and equipped with new genes that govern production of useful chemicals.<br />Venter’s assertion that he has created a “synthetic cell” has alarmed people who think that he has created a new life form. <br /><br />“My worry is that some people are going to draw the conclusion that they have created a new life form,” said Jim Collins, a bioengineer at Boston University. “What they have created is an organism with a synthesized natural genome. But it doesn’t represent the creation of life from scratch or the creation of a new life form.”</p>.<p> Three Indian-origin scientists are part of the team. The 24-member team includes Sanjay Vashee, Radha Krishnakumar and Prashanth P Parmar.</p>
