“Playing God” -Scientists in Final Stage of Creating Man-made Life
Pastor Dale Morgan
“Playing God” -Scientists in Final Stage of Creating Man-made Life*
Humangenome_2
Dr Craig Venter, who has led the private sector effort to sequence the
human genome, has been working for years to create a man-made organism.
He says his company Synthetic Genomics Inc, has nearly completed the
journey to create the world’s first free-living artificial organism.
According to Venter, it will only be a few more weeks before manmade
life is unveiled in his very own laboratory. “It will be one of the
bright milestones in human history, changing our conceptual view of
life.” Said Venter.
Others have a less “bright” view of Venter’s work—they say it could be
potentially dangerous. It has been suggested that this type of
technology could turn out to be the scary side of “playing God”, since
it invariably suggests the chance that dangerous organisms could be
inadvertently (or purposefully) unleashed on a world unprepared to deal
with the consequences. Because there is no precedence, scientists don’t
know for sure what kind of negative impact is possible.
While control measures have been suggested, such as using software to
spot purchases of DNA sequences that could be used as weapons, there is
no comprehensive regulation in the field of synthetic life. Watchdogs
say we’re taking a big gamble that the science will stay a step ahead of
nefarious uses.
Even if artificial biology could be kept under control and appropriately
monitored—something many say is near impossible—activists and
researchers are concerned that the technology may be exclusively locked
up for commercial gain.
Synthetic Genomics Inc, has filed controversial patents on synthetic
bugs that would make fuels such as ethanol or hydrogen, and likely make
a lot of money for those involved, as well. It has also filed an
international application at the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) which names more than 100 countries where the
institute may seek monopoly patents.
The J Craig Venter Institute's US patent application claims exclusive
ownership of a set of essential genes and a synthetic "free-living
organism that can grow and replicate" made using those particular genes.
In early June, the ETC Group, a watchdog organization based in Canada,
which monitors developments in biotechnology, launched a campaign
against Venter’s patent application. They called on patent offices to
reject applications on life forms. ETC’s Jim Thomas says that Venter’s
company is poised to become the “Microbesoft” of synthetic biology.
The company announced a deal June 13 with energy giant BPPLC to identify
and modify naturally occurring microbes with the capability to turn coal
or oil below the earth’s surface into cleaner fuel. Microorganisms “have
the potential to provide all the transportation fuel we need in the
U.S.,” says Venter. “I joke that I’m going from the gene king to the oil
king.” The thing is, no one really thinks he’s joking.
Venter says he's been expecting attacks on his work. "Patents are a hot
word, and people are afraid of synthetic organisms." He says this
research is merely the "tip if the iceberg", and future possibilities
include bugs that clean up pollution, or signal when they detect explosives.
Indeed, the technology may end up providing beneficial solutions to some
of the planet's biggest problems, and Venter has won kudos for bringing
together a panel of bioethicists, religious leaders, and biowarfare
experts to study the issues. The consensus for that particular group was
that the research shouldn't be stopped, but that synthetic organisms
must be controlled and contained.
According to Venter, Environmental groups shouldn’t be fighting his
work, but rather be “ecstatic about what we are doing, since we provide
one of the clear alternatives to burning oil and coal.”
Very few would argue that there are no potential goods coming out of
this type of work, but experts strongly caution that the potential
negative consequences cannot be ignored.
“While creating new life may not be playing God,” says Arthur L. Caplan,
director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania,
“it has revolutionary implications for how we see ourselves. When we can
synthesize life, it makes the notion of a living being less special.”
And there’s a perception that synthetic biologists may be “manipulating
nature without knowing where they are going.” he says. “There are
arrogant scientists, and our friend Venter may be one of them.”