'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life

Scientists at the University of Minnesota say they have built the most life-like synthetic cell yet, creating a laboratory-made system assembled entirely from nonliving components that can grow, replicate its genetic material, divide and even pass beneficial traits to future generations.

The researchers describe the work as a major step toward building artificial life but said the synthetic cells cannot survive outside carefully controlled laboratory conditions and require externally supplied nutrients and specialized components to grow and divide.

Their findings were published Thursday as a preprint on bioRxiv, meaning the research has not yet undergone peer review.

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