J. Craig Venter

J. Craig Venter is an American geneticist and entrepreneur known for pioneering work in genomics. He was a key player in sequencing the human genome, which is the complete set of DNA that defines an individual. Venter founded the private company Celera Genomics, which contributed to the Human Genome Project. In 2010, he and his team created the first synthetic life form by inserting a synthetic genome into a bacterium, demonstrating the potential to engineer organisms for various applications, including medicine and biofuels. His work raises important questions about ethics and the future of biotechnology.