Adrián Villalba, a developmental biology researcher at Paris Cité University, leads an international group of scientists and philosophers examining the ethical implications of synthetic DNA in human genetics.
Over 15 years ago, Craig Venter demonstrated the feasibility of constructing a bacterial cell (Mycoplasma mycoides) using base pairs created from scratch. Recently, researchers built a yeast cell by combining over 50% synthetic base pairs with parts of the original genome.
Current models feature reduced genomes of approximately one million base pairs, significantly smaller than the three billion base pairs in the human genome. Villalba states, “This technology is transforming our understanding of genetics and its applications.”
Villalba, along with Anna Smajdor (University of Oslo, Norway), Iain Brassington (University of Manchester, UK), and Daniele Cutas (Lund University, Sweden), published a paper in the Journal of Medical Ethics addressing the ethical concerns surrounding synthetic DNA and its potential application to the human genome.
Villalba's interest in synthetic DNA arose during his theoretical work on disruptive reproductive techniques. He contacted Smajdor, who also specializes in assisted reproduction, to form a research team. After meetings in Paris and Lund, they secured funding from the Grifols Foundation, leading to their first publication on the future implications of synthetic DNA.
Villalba notes that while the human genome contains three billion nucleotides, progress is being made. The bacterial genome they previously synthesized contained one million nucleotides, while the yeast genome recently constructed has twelve million. He believes it is only a matter of time before similar techniques can be applied to human genomes.
The research team contemplates various ethical debates, such as the implications of selecting an embryo’s DNA. Villalba questions whether a child would still be considered theirs if a substantial percentage of the DNA were synthetic. He emphasizes the importance of discussing moral responsibilities, especially concerning hereditary diseases.
Villalba acknowledges that the current understanding of synthetic DNA's response to epigenetic changes is limited, particularly in eukaryotes. While studies in bacteria have shown that synthetic genomes can reset and express original proteins, it remains uncertain how this would translate to human genetics.
The team is exploring social implications, including the potential for designing a child's DNA. They question how societal norms might shift if genetic manipulation becomes commonplace. Villalba also highlights the ethical considerations surrounding the creation of non-viable embryos, which some groups oppose on moral grounds.
In summary, the research team is addressing critical questions about the future of synthetic DNA in human genetics, emphasizing the need for ongoing ethical discourse as technology evolves.