Langdale expressed that it is positive that ARIA exists and includes a plants program. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives, as historically, individuals like Gates who fund ambitious projects tend to have specific objectives they wish to achieve. Philanthropic foundations like Gates’ are often more tolerant of projects with uncertain outcomes. Langdale noted that his own efforts, despite being long-running, have not yet resulted in a market-ready product. He contrasted this with government-backed science funding, which typically avoids projects with long-term horizons due to the difficulty of justifying taxpayer expenditure on ventures that may take decades to bear fruit.
Langdale compared the C4 Rice Project with Burnett’s synthetic plants program, noting that the latter represents a substantial financial commitment. Burnett’s initiative plans to allocate £62.4 million ($82 million) over five years, funding scientists to develop synthetic chromosomes and chloroplasts, the latter being the genetic machinery responsible for photosynthesis. However, unlike typical projects, the program does not specify particular features these synthetic plants should possess. Langdale likened this approach to designing a new machine without knowing its exact function.
Johnathan Napier, a science director at Rothamsted Research, echoed Langdale’s concerns. While the goals of creating synthetic chromosomes and chloroplasts are clear, Napier questioned their practical benefits. He noted that while his own work, such as engineering crops for omega-3 fish oils, and the C4 Rice Project, which aims to enhance rice productivity, have very focused objectives, Burnett’s program is broader and could potentially allow scientists to imbue plants with a wide array of functionalities in the future.
Professor Saul Purton from University College London, who is involved in synthetic chloroplasts research in algae, explained the potential of the program. According to Purton, if successful, scientists could design complex genetic pathways on a computer, construct entire chromosomes, and integrate them into plants in a single step. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the ambitious nature of the five-year timeline to achieve synthetic chloroplasts across multiple crop species. Purton highlighted the lengthy and ongoing process of developing such synthetic biology tools, which remains fraught with challenges and learning opportunities.
Burnett has recently had her program approved following an intensive three-hour meeting with ARIA’s executive team and external experts. She described the experience as nerve-wracking but significant, as she has been working towards this milestone. In addition to funding for synthetic chromosomes and chloroplasts, Burnett aims to explore the ethics of synthetic plants, anticipating future discussions among farmers, lawmakers, and the public about crops entirely designed by humans. However, she may not witness the program’s long-term outcomes, as ARIA’s program directors typically serve three-year terms. The agency is already in the process of recruiting a new batch of directors who will initiate new projects.
Assessing the success of long-term projects within short timeframes can be challenging. Collison, presumably another stakeholder, indicated that it would take about 15 years to determine ARIA’s efficacy. He mentioned that ARIA has a decade-long immunity from dissolution, which allows some breathing space for the projects to develop. The new Labour government has shown support for ARIA, with Vallance appointed as the minister responsible for the agency. A government spokesperson emphasized the importance of leveraging science for economic growth, opportunities, and advancements for the UK population.
