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US scientists today announced theta they have successfully developed the first synthetic living cell, a world first. The team of scientists and researches claim to have successfully added to a host cell a synthetic bacterium’s genetic software. The end result of this experiment was a host cell that looked and behaved like the impregnated synthetic DNA, which was effectively being dictated.

Critics have spoken out about the dangers of developing synthetic life forms and have heavily criticized the experiment, which has been billed as a scientific breakthrough.

Researchers hope to further develop the breakthrough to eventually create cells that can provide fuels, medicine and even combat and absorb harmful greenhouse effect gasses.

The team, led by Dr Craig Venter of the J Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in Maryland and California. Dr Venter has previously made a synthetic bacterial genome and successfully transplanted this genome of one bacterium to another.

The team of scientists has successfully put both of their methods together to create what they are calling a synthetic cell, although in truth the only true synthetic element is the genome. Dr Venter went on to compare the experiment as similar to making new software for the cell.

The team created the synthetic genome by copying an existing bacterial genome and then sequenced its genetic code and then used synthesis machines to chemically construct a like for like copy.

The new bacteria reproduced itself quickly over a billion times and in the process it produced copies that contained and were controlled by the synthetic transplanted DNA. The team of scientists wishes to develop further cells so that they can then perform functions of value.

Dr Venter and his team of scientists are currently already collaborating and working with some pharmaceutical and fuel development companies in a bid to design and develop cell chromosomes for bacteria that could hopeful produce some useful methods of fuel and new vaccines and medicines.

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The NHS this week admitted they are considering a cash plan style option of financial incentives to encourage a healthier style of life for UK citizens. Some areas have undertaken their own schemes and they report that the results have given some encouragement.

NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) advises the NHS in England and Wales. They suggest these measures may be able to help the NHS to combat issues such as obesity, smoking and drinking. They wish to gather additional evidence into the cash plan incentive for lifestyle changes, an idea described as “an idea whose time has come” before submitting their recommendations.

This is not the first time the body has considered rewarding people for change; they have previously encouraged the scheme to help people beat drug addiction.

In a bid to determine public reaction, NICE is planning to push role out the concept in front of its citizen’s council on Thursday and Friday.

During a recent interview with the BBC Prof Mike Kelly who is the head of public health for NICE said: “We will want to see evidence that it provides value for money, there is a question over whether behavior is sustained when incentives end. Humans respond to incentives, we know that. What we now need to see is whether the economic behavior can be repeated in terms of health behavior. It is an idea whose time has come.”

Upon NICE backing a cash plan style scheme, recommendations for the plan covering England and Wales are still around a year away at least.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are working closely with a team of London experts from King’s College, the London School of Economics and Queen Mary University to perform research into the proposals. They are reviewing data on cash plan initiatives and they plan to perform o trials in the future.

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