A DNA researcher has created a synthetic chromosome from lab chemicals. It's expected that he will be announcing the successful creation of the first artificial life form, maybe as early as next week. The researcher, Craig Venter, is also involved in a commercial project parallel to the human genome project by deciphering the human genetic code.

The chromosome that Venter's team created was based on the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium. Essentially the team broke down its components to the barest essentials needed to support life, then reconstructed the code using lab chemicals. The chromosome is then transplanted into a living bacterial cell, which it will take over and change, creating a new species.

The chromosome will be able to replicate and metabolize food using the body of the cell it's been injected into. Essentially, the cell isn't artificial, but its DNA is. It sounds like one of those mad scientist movies, but something like this was bound to happen someday. After cloning a sheep, this is just the next step.

Venter believes that life created in a test tube will be beneficial for mankind if properly regulated. Custom made life could lead to cells being used as alternative energy sources, the clean up crew for excessive carbon dioxide, or even as new fuels. When asked how he feels humankind will take the news, he says:

[This is] a very important philosophical step in the history of our species. We are going from reading our genetic code to the ability to write it. That gives us the hypothetical ability to do things never contemplated before. [...] We are not afraid to take on things that are important just because they stimulate thinking. We are dealing in big ideas. We are trying to create a new value system for life. When dealing at this scale, you can't expect everybody to be happy.