The dawn of 'synthetic biology'

One of Britain's top research priorities is in the extraordinary new field of what's called "synthetic biology".

This is where scientists design and create new forms of life by making artificial DNA to produce everything from medicines to fuels to materials.

Some researchers believe synthetic biology will lead to the next industrial revolution and the government hopes it will play an important part in economic growth while environmental campaigners warn of the risks of creating artificially-engineered organisms.

Science editor David Shukman reports.