Scientists already have the ability to read DNA, the building blocks of human beings, and have begun editing genome code to help cure specific diseases.
Research in the field has, up until now, been taboo, with campaigners worried about designer babies and unforeseen ethical issues.
“I am very excited about this,” said Sandy Starr, the deputy director of genomic charity Progress Educational Trust, pointing out that the details of the project have been released on the 25th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project, which mapped the molecules in human DNA.
“We have already gained a lot of sequence information around which mutations drive what types of cancer,” Ellis said, adding that “being able to specifically write regions of the human genome and put them into cell lines” could lead to significant breakthroughs.
Alzheimer’s is one area where synthetic genomes combined with AI could excel (Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP)
DNA editing has already helped fight against very specific diseases where only one part of its coding needs changing, with gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease being approved for use on the NHS in England earlier this year.
That trajectory, however, could be accelerated if the power of artificial intelligence is harnessed alongside DNA building.
“But what AI has given us so far are just hypotheses. By building DNA, we will be able to verify those hypotheses,” said Ellis.
“AI, for instance, could give us the top 10 versions of genomes that are very resistant or vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and, by building DNA, we might be able to identify at-risk patients, and test which DNA code could work best for them,” explained Ellis.
The investment in DNA synthesis research in the UK showed the country’s life sciences industry is “thriving”, according to Ellis.
The potential risks
Thomas, however, was concerned about the commercialisation of synthesised DNA in the UK.
Altering DNA could potentially open the door to creating synthetic embryos – also known as designer babies – biological weapons, so-called “super humans” and “greater ill-health rather than a healthier society”, Thomas said.
Synthetic DNA could open the door to greater health inequalities between the rich and the poor (Photo: Getty Images/Science Photo Library)To mitigate against these unknowns, Thomas argued for stronger regulation around DNA building before these possibilities become a reality.
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“There has been a lot of fanfare around the 25th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project, but where is the demand coming from?” continued Thomas.
However, Starr warned that the risks around doing nothing were far greater than the risks of funding a transparent, collaborative research project.
“You also risk research being done by actors that are less transparent and that have less benevolent motives.”
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