A group of 25 researchers recently reported in Science plans to construct a synthetic version of the human genome. Although such an accomplishment lies way ahead in the future, the scientists believe a synthetic genome would open up novel research avenues and lead to the creation of a host of new diagnostics and therapies for human diseases. However, investigators said the proposal itself—to create a synthetic human genome—raises huge ethical concerns and needs to be examined and debated by the global scientific community.
Poll Question:
Do you think a broad scientific consensus needs to be reached before work on a synthetic human genome should begin?
Yes
342
No
100
