It is being reported that 150 scientists secretly gathered at Harvard Medical School in Boston on Tuesday in order to discuss the creation of a synthetic human genome which basically means that they’re interested in mapping out a genome for cloned cells. According to The New York Times, “Scientists are now contemplating the fabrication of a human genome, meaning they would use chemicals to manufacture all the DNA contained in human chromosomes.”
The organizer of the project, George Church, insists that the Human Genome Synthesis Project, or HGP2, is not aimed at creating human beings and that it would not be restricted to human genomes. In the event that the scientists did experiment with creating humans, the project gives rise to the question of whether or not they are to be considered humans let alone humans with rights.
Experimenting with this idea also questions whether or not scientists would literally be able to create whatever or whomever they want with the traits that they’d like for them to be predisposed to. However, in an interview, George Church says that everyone’s got it all wrong. “[HGP2] would aim to improve the ability to synthesize DNA in general, which could be applied to various animals, plants and microbes,” he said. “They’re painting a picture which I don’t think represents the project.”
Per an invitation to the event, HGP2’s goal is “to synthesize a complete human genome in a cell line within a period of 10 years.”
Roommates, do you think that science has gone too far this time? Do you guys think that this violates the sanctity of creation? Let’s chat!
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Sources: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/14/science/synthetic-human-genome.html?referer=,
