Science at AMNH

Thirteen years ago, genome scientist J. Craig Venter announced that his team, along with the government’s Human Genome Project, was the first to successfully sequence the entire human genome. Later, his researchers were the first to successfully create a synthetic cell by transplanting synthetic DNA into a bacterial cell. In a special lecture, Venter describes his current work and new book, Life at the Speed of Light, which illuminates this emerging field of synthetic genomics by detailing its origins, controversies, and potential effects on our future, as well as providing us an opportunity to revisit the age-old question “What is life?” This lecture took place at the Museum on October 21, 2013.