Biologist denies ‘playing God’

AN American biologist who breathed life into a bacterium using genes assembled in the laboratory defended himself against accusations he was “playing God”.

The creation of the “synthetic cell”, described as a landmark by experts, is a 15-year dream come true for maverick genetics entrepreneur Dr Craig Venter.

It has major implications for genomics, including the manufacture of artificial organisms designed for specific tasks such as making vaccines or cleaning up pollution.

But experts recognise that there are potential dangers too. Synthetic life could, for instance, pave the way to biological weapons.

Speaking last night from Washington on BBC2’s Newsnight, Dr Venter dismissed suggestions that he was playing God.

He said: “That’s a term that comes up every time there is a new medical or scientific breakthrough associated with biology. It’s been a goal of humanity from the earlier stages to try and control nature. That’s how we got domesticated animals.

“This is the next stage in our understanding, it is a baby step in our understanding of how life fundamentally works and maybe how we can get some new handles on trying to control these microbial systems to benefit humanity.”

Asked if the technique could be bought by the highest bidder, he replied: “The technology is not for sale, the cells are not for sale. We are trying to use this technology to advance vaccine protection, we are trying to use it to advance the basic understanding of cellular life.”

He also dismissed the danger of bio-terrorism, stating: “Most people are in agreement that there is a slight increase in the potential for harm but there’s an exponential increase in the potential benefit to society.”

Describing the achievement, Dr Venter said: “This is the first synthetic cell that’s been made, totally derived from a synthetic chromosome. This is an important step we think, both scientifically and philosophically. It’s certainly changed my views of the definitions of life and how life works.”

Dr Venter, who runs the J Craig Venter Institute in Rockville, Maryland, came to fame when he challenged publicly-funded scientists working on the international Human Genome Project, the first attempt to produce a complete map of the human genetic code.

He set out to construct his own private version of the human genome, using a different “short cut” method, and succeeded. The race ended in a dead heat when both versions were published simultaneously in Science in 2001.

The research marks the culmination of 15 years’ effort at a total cost of around £30 million (€34.5m).

Dr Venter obtained ethical approval for the research before embarking on it.

He insists the work is harmless, pointing out that the bacteria involved do not infect people. However, a relative of M mycoides, M. pneumonia, does cause lung infections in humans.