A new project, SynHG, aims to create human genetic code from raw chemicals. The Wellcome Trust funds the project with £10 million.
Project Leadership and Location
Jason Chin, from Cambridge's Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, will lead the SynHG project. Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester and Kent, along with Imperial College London, will also work on the five-year project.
Project Goals and Implications
The field of synthetic genomics creates "new, engineered organisms and cells designed to have a specific function." Supporters of synthetic genomics expect that this project will improve the understanding of human biology. They also hope for new treatments for diseases.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical concerns exist regarding synthetic genomics. Some worry about the potential for "designer babies".
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