The researchers constructed a bacterium's "genetic software" and transplanted it into a host cell.More details at BBC News.
The resulting microbe then looked and behaved like the species "dictated" by the synthetic DNA.
The advance, published in Science, has been hailed as a scientific landmark, but critics say there are dangers posed by synthetic organisms.
Some also suggest that the potential benefits of the technology have been over-stated.
But the researchers hope eventually to design bacterial cells that will produce medicines and fuels and even absorb greenhouse gases.
Scientists create first artificial life
Posted on Friday, May 21 2010 @ 21:41 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
A team of US researchers have created the first artificial life by constructing a bacterial cell using manufactured DNA.