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A US biologist claims he has created the first man-made cell in one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of the past two decades.
Dr Craig Venter says his researchers built a DNA strand from scratch and inserted it into a simple bacterium, creating so-called synthetic life.

Applications of the study include the manufacture of organisms designed for specific tasks, such as making vaccines or cleaning up pollution.

A report published in the Science journal details how the team effectively stimulated a yeast cell into taking on a new life.

Scientists at first made short strands of DNA and then put them together to form a chromosome, which was then inserted into a bacterium, replacing its native DNA.

They found the bacterium took on the appearance and behaviour of the transplanted chromosome, generating different proteins and multiplying.

"This is the first synthetic cell that's been made, and we call it synthetic because the cell is totally derived from a synthetic chromosome," Dr Venter said.

"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."

Sky's health correspondent Thomas Moore said the scientists have created a form of life never before seen on the planet.

"Other groups are working on it around the world, but [Dr Venter's] the first to have done this," Moore said.

"He's the man who has opened up a new chapter, where we are not just looking at life that has evolved - but life that is created in a laboratory.

"It opens up new ethical dilemmas."

Tsukiyumi wrote:That's extremely cool. This could be a good first step to eliminating human disease once and for all.

Nickswitz wrote:...sadly people aren't all looking to do good, and not all smart people are good people.

Sonic Glitch wrote:for now I'll join you in your optimistic appraisal!

Nickswitz wrote:And sadly the first step to complete destruction of humans, imagine if you could create a organism that attached to the air molecules around it and once it got on other cells it became like instant cancer. Or something of that sort, it could definitely be a good thing, but sadly people aren't all looking to do good, and not all smart people are good people.

Laughing Man wrote:Say hello to M. mycoides JCVI-syn1.0

Mikey wrote:Wait a minute. I understand that these folks engineered the bacteria with synthetic DNA... but "synthtic life?" No, they inserted their DNA into a bacterium - which is already a life form.