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Synthetic biology promised to rewrite life – with the death of its pioneer, J. Craig Venter, how close are scientists?

Advances in genetic engineering have enabled researchers to seek ways to program new life. But has synthetic biology actually changed medicine and the environment, nearly two decades on?

First seen · 8:54 PM UTCMay 2, 2026

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Synthetic biology promised to rewrite life – with the death of its pioneer, J. Craig Venter, how close are scientists?Advances in genetic engineering have enabled researchers to seek ways to program new life. But has synthetic biology actually changed medicine and the environment, nearly two decades on?
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