Scientists are trying to build the human genome from scratch

Designer jeans genes are back in style: A first-of-its-kind effort called the Synthetic Human Genome Project (SynHG) officially kicked off its plan to construct human genetic material from scratch last week, after receiving ~$14 million in seed funding from The Wellcome Trust, the world’s largest medical charity.

Diving into the gene pool

Over the next five years, the UK-based scientists on the SynHG project will work to create new tools, technology, and methods allowing researchers to create the human genome from scratch.

• Their overall goal is to figure out exactly how DNA determines humans’ health and characteristics, which will help scientists develop new gene-based therapies for various diseases.
• Potential treatments include transplantable cells that are customized to help patients resist particular viruses, address autoimmune disorders, or heal organ damage.

Scientists are hoping to replicate the OG’s success. The original Human Genome Project was a 13-year, $2.7 billion effort that successfully mapped ~92% of the human genome. Its findings, published in 2003, have revolutionized modern medicine by helping doctors treat genetic diseases, develop personalized medicine approaches, and improve diagnostics.

But…Critics of the SynHG project argue that trying to create human DNA is a slippery slope to normalizing many ethically questionable practices—like creating “designer babies,” whose genes are specifically selected before birth, or celebrities “licensing” parts of their genome so that others can copy their traits.