Synthetic DNA Bases

Life's natural genetic code is made up of 4 DNA bases represented by the letters A, T, G, and C. These 4 bases pair to form base-pairs (A-T and G-C). These base pairs have been rearranged to create all types of organisms (penguins, bears, whales, humans, plants, bacteria etc.). In other words, life as we know it is made from these 4 DNA bases.

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute in California have created 2 new DNA bases they call X and Y. These new bases form a base-pair and have been incorporated in an entirely new organism. The new type of bacteria they created still contains the usual A, T, G, and C bases, but also has the new bases (X and Y) in its genome. This new bacterium has been called the first "semisynthetic organism."

While this new bacterium has no practical applications at this point, the lead researchers on this project suggest that these new bases can allow single-celled organisms to take on new properties, potentially helping scientists create new drugs. We can be comforted by the fact that this technology is only intended for use in single-celled organisms, and we won't be seeing these new X and Y bases showing up in more complex organisms.

Link to article about this research:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170123214717.htm