Synthetic life form

In a latest medical breakthrough, the much-celebrated gene pioneer Craig Venter has claimed to create the world's first synthetic life form. A team of scientists assembled by Craig Venter, led by the Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith, has created a synthetic chromosome - a sequence of genes - from laboratory chemicals and is ready to announce the creation of the first artificial life form on earth. Using laboratory chemicals, they formed a chromosome that is 381 genes long and contains 5,80,000 base pairs of genetic code. The DNA sequence is based on the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium that the team pared down to the bare essentials needed to support life, removing a fifth of its genetic make-up. The wholly synthetically reconstructed chromosome, which the team have christened Mycoplasma laboratorium, has been watermarked with inks for easy recognition. The team now plans to implant the synthetic chromosome into an existing cell. If this succeeds it will have created an entirely new life form. Having applied for a patent for his discovery, Craig Venter asserts that these designer genomes have enormous potential if properly regulated. In the long run, they could also help to discover alternative energy sources. And perhaps also create bacteria that can help in cleaning up excessive carbon dioxide and thereby, a solution to global warming. Although it signifies a huge philosophical step in the history of human species, promising to create almost anything, it can also pose a huge challenge to humanity with improper use.