In a few years we will be able to summarize the entire human DNA from scratch. This opens incredible scenarios in the fight against diseases, but also opens a window on the abyss of potential risks.
It is not exaggerated to say that the project of the century started. Its purpose is, expressed in no uncertain terms, that of Build human DNA literally from scratchsynthesizing it chemically. The name of the project also suggests it, Synhg (Synthetic Human Genome)an international initiative to create a functional synthetic human genome involving research groups from the universities of Cambridge, Kent, Manchester, Oxford and of theImperial College of Londonjust financed with about 14 million dollars from WellCome Trustthe largest beneficial organization in the world for the improvement of human and animal health.
From the language of God to the writing of life
When in 2000 the first draft of the sequence that composed the human genetic kit, completed in the following years, the then American president had been revealed Bill Clinton he gave the announcement emphatically with this sentence:
“Humanity has learned the language with which God created life».
Now it could be said that we are going to take the next step: use that language to rewrite lifecompletely from the end.
A long evolution of genetics up to Crispr
Summarize how we have come to own this frightening ability It is useful to understand it better. After the discovery in 1953 of the DNA structurein the seventies the first began Genetic engineering experiments. In the eighties the first automated sequences who led to the Human Genome Projectwith the sequencing of the human genome (approximately 3.2 billion bases).
In the 2012with technology Crispr-Cas9we have acquired the ability to Cut and change the DNA in specific points.
As if we had learned to read and copy-paste of a text on Word. But not to write it from scratch.
From the synthesis of the bacterium to the synthetic genome of yeast
We started writing with the Summary of Ascorichia Coli In the 2019until you complete in the 2023 The First synthetic genome of yeasta more complex organism and close to man. Now it’s up to the human being.
Objective: to build an entire human chromosome
Over the next five yearsscientists want Chemically synthesize increasingly large blocks than DNAto create an entire human chromosome.
This will contain genes that regulate development and maintenancewith the aim of treat diseases so far incurable.
Medical applications already concrete
As he explains Giuseppe Novelligeneticist of the University of Rome Tor Vergata:
“Current techniques already allow us to correct diseases such as falciform anemia, thalassemia or hemophilia. The patient stem cells are modified ex-Vivo and reinfuse ».
With Synhg we can Build disease resistant cells, repopulate damaged organs And manufacture organoids To test drugs.
Infinite potential of synthetic DNA
A synthetic DNA could be designed for resist viruses like HIV, Eliminate the rejection in transplants, regenerate fabrics or suppress cancer cells.
It could even become a model for the study of 7,000 rare diseases Without care.
Or, in theory, contain learning and memory ability.
“Playing with the dice of life”
The almost unlimited faculties to interact with life will put us able to “Playing with the dice of life”paraphrasing Einsteinwho said:
“God does not play dice with the world».
Ethical, biological and geopolitical risks
“Each disruptive technology brings risks with it», Says Novelli.
You cannot create a human being from scratchbut in principle one could Insert synthetic DNA in an embryo to enhance it.
This, today, is prohibited in the West but it could happen in countries with more permissive laws.
And the same technology could be used by bad scientists to create biological weapons.
Technical and environmental risks of genetic synthesis
Errors in the synthesis or in the assembly of DNA could generate unexpected cellular diseases or behavior.
Even more dangerous if synthetic bodies escaped the laboratories or if modified genes moved to other living beings.
A project monitored by ethical committees
As happened for theHuman Genome Projectthe Synhg will also be followed step by step by a bioethic committee.
The final patent will be in the hands of the scientific consortiumwhich will limit its use only to approved purposes.
The disturbing precedent of the handling on embryos
In the 2018the Chinese scientist He jiankui he announced that he had used Crispr-Cas9 on human embryosgenerating two modified twins to resist HIV.
In the 2019 he was sentenced to three years in prison.
We can not help but hope to no longer assist similar episodesfocusing on enormous therapeutic possibilities that the next generations will have available.
