So Yun Christina Anna
Who is Craig Venter?
Craig Venter was born in Utah on October 14, 1946, currently aged 68 years old. He studied at
University of California, San Diego and received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in 1972 and a PhD
in physiology and pharmacology in 1975. In Venter’s adolescence, he recognized his own ADHD
and later found ADHD was linked with his genes.
He is well known as an American biochemist, geneticist and an entrepreneur. He found Celera
Genomics, The Institute for Genomic Research and J. Craig Venter Institute.
He has been listed as one of the top influential people in the World on the Time magazine in 2007
and 2008 as well as “The World’s 50 most influential Figures” in 2010.
History of synthetic biology
A Polish geneticist Waclaw Szybalski first used the term ‘synthetic biology’ in 1974 in one of the
books he published.
Since then, many geneticists and researchers have attempted to create artificial genes in a lab.
Their main goal was molecular cloning, which failed each time due to the lack of technology and
knowledge they had regarding human genome.
Mid 1990s, scientists successfully sequenced a full human gene ,which opened up the possibility
of making a complete synthetic double-strand DNA.
May 2010 & How?
May 2010, Craig and his fellow scientists announced that they have successfully created a
synthetic life form. It took 20 scientists for over 10 years of research and attempts. The expense
spent was approximately 40 million US dollars. Mark Bedau, a philosopher at Reed College in
Portland stated that this was “a definition moment in history of biology and biotechnology.”
Craig first identified and sequenced a new code based on four letters of the genetic code. They
use G, T, C and A. They then built a chromosome using 4 chemicals, which was then combined in
yeast into a recipient bacterium. The bacteria, which consumed the built chromosome,
transformed into a new specie of bacteria.
The created organism has four “watermarks” written into the DNA to identify it as genetic and
aid tracing the organism back to its original creator; a form of copyright.
Controversies
Venter became a controversial figure in 1990s when he refused against the public funds in
building a sequence to the human genome. Venter had applied for patents on more than 300
genes which raised the concerns of many that he is claiming intellectual property rights on the
building blocks of life. Many critics as well as religious groups argue that Venter and his company
is messing with the natural laws of the universe and is playing ‘God.’
Furthermore, recently it was found that Venter has been exploiting his company in synthesizing
the life form. He revealed that the genome sequence was based on his own DNA. This has been a
controversial topic among his colleagues who believed that the gene they use was randomly
selected from anonymous DNA donors. Venter revealed that the data he collected through the
research showed that he inherited a gene known as ApoE4 which is a mutant gene that is
associated with abnormal fat metabolism and increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. To help this he
started taking fat-lowering drugs.
Future of Synthetic Biology
Many science articles reveal that data collected through synthetic biology will be a turning point
for medicine, the environment and agriculture. Gene sequence can reveal one’s potential in
developing certain diseases or conditions, which could be helpful in detecting these at an early
stage. Furthermore, some scientists have started to develop a living organism that will be
released onto the ocean where oil leaks have happened. These organisms are developed to feed
on the oil waste, which can speed up the process of cleaning these oils at a significant rate.
However, research in genetics is expensive and time consuming. It is also highly controversial.