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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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A step to artificial life: Manmade DNA powers cell

By LAURAN NEERGAARD

AP Medical Writer

WASHINGTON – Scientists announced a bold step Thursday in the enduring quest to create artificial life. They’ve produced a living cell powered by manmade DNA.

While such work can evoke images of Frankenstein-like scientific tinkering, it also is exciting hopes that it could eventually lead to new fuels, better ways to clean polluted water, faster vaccine production and more.

Is it really an artificial life form?