Scott 's team announces creation of a cell controlled by a synthetic chromosome . J. Craig has said it 's the first self - aware species whose computer is a computer . Science : These are among the innovations that could result from the research of J. Craig Venter 's team , which announced last week that it had created `` the first cell that is totally controlled by a synthetic chromosome . '' Work holds promise for new vaccines and ways to use carbon dioxide productively . He says creating life is key to understanding life .
Scott 's team announces creation of a cell controlled by a synthetic chromosome . J. Craig has said it 's the first self - aware species whose computer is a computer . Science : Work holds promise for new vaccines and ways to use carbon dioxide productively . He says creating life is key to understanding life .