Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and technology
Why in news?
Recently a UK-based laboratory started Synthetic Human Genome Project initiative to construct human DNA from scratch.
- Synthetic Human Genome Project – It is considered a world-first project in synthetic human DNA construction.
- Initiative by – It is led by researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge.
- Aim – It aims to assemble artificial chromosomes in the lab.
- Objectives – To explore how genes govern repair, development, and illness.
- To enable the creation of disease-resistant cells that can help regenerate damaged organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
- Funding – It is backed by an initial grant of £10 million from the Wellcome Trust, the world's largest medical charity.
- Relevance on Human Genome Project – The Synthetic Human Genome Project builds directly on the Human Genome Project achievements.
- While the Human Genome Project focused on reading existing DNA, the synthetic project aims to construct human DNA from scratch, including artificial chromosomes.
- Potential benefits – It could revolutionise treatment for genetic disorders and age-related diseases.
- It opens the possibility of new therapies to improve health and longevity.
- It could lead to breakthroughs in creating disease-resistant cells for repairing organs like the heart, liver, and immune system.
- Ethical concerns and risks – Fears of creating designer humans or synthetic life with unforeseen consequences.
- Risk of misuse for harmful purposes, including biological warfare.
- Concerns about who controls and regulates synthetic human DNA technology.
- Ethical oversight mechanism – A parallel mechanism is established, which involves sociologists, ethicists, and public consultations to understand public perceptions, benefits, and concerns.
Reference
The Indian Express| Synthetic Human Genome Project
