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Watch me unveil "synthetic life"

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Craig Venter |

TED in the Field

• May 2010

Craig Venter and team make a historic announcement: they've created the first fully functioning, reproducing cell controlled by synthetic DNA. He explains how they did it and why the achievement marks the beginning of a new era for science.

Craig Venter and team make a historic announcement: they've created the first fully functioning, reproducing cell controlled by synthetic DNA. He explains how they did it and why the achievement marks the beginning of a new era for science.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Craig Venter

Biologist, genetics pioneer

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In 2001, Craig Venter made headlines for sequencing the human genome. In 2003, he started mapping the ocean's biodiversity. And now he's created the first synthetic lifeforms -- microorganisms that can produce alternative fuels.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.