Scientists propose hugely ambitious project to build a human genome from scratch


A team of major scientists has proposed synthesizing the human genome from scratch — an ambitious and ethically questionable project that is expected to cost $10 billion and take a decade to complete. Put forward by a team of 25 scientists in Science, the researchers say they want to expand on the work done by the Human Genome Project, which decoded the 3 billion paired letters of the human genome and was completed in 2003.
"We've been very clear that this is not about making a synthetic human," one of the project's leaders, Andrew Hessel, told BuzzFeed News. However, artificial human cells could help test new drugs and vaccines or hypothetical genome edits that could lead to disease immunity or cancer resistance; the research could also help with the growth of readily transplantable organs.
Many in the field are still unconvinced by the plan, though. "Is developing the capacities to synthesize human genomes a good idea?…[The scientists] fail to pose these essential questions. In fact, in their proposal, [they] fail to pose any questions. Nor do they detail specific limits about what should not be done," Stanford bioengineering professor Andrew Endy and Northwestern bioethics professor Laurie Zoloth said in an opinion piece that called for the rejection of the proposal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Why build a new chromosome rather than modify a working one?" Stanford law and ethics professor Hank Greely also asked. "It's not clear to me why large scale synthesis should be substantially better."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Lord of the Flies: William Golding’s modern classic is brought to ‘thrilling life’
The Week Recommends Anthony Lau’s ‘searing’ staging is anchored by an ‘extraordinary’ cast
-
Rising costs are making it harder for people to afford pets
Under the Radar Shelters are filling up as a result
-
Codeword: October 2, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Speed Read Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022