Gene pioneer J. Craig Venter, who first succeeded in reading humanitys genetic code, now thinks he is within weeks or months of developing the worlds first free-living artificial organism in his laboratory. It will just be a tiny bacterium with only a few hundred genes, but if the worlds first free-living artificial organism is definitely attainable, Venter says that 'it will be one of the bright milestones in human history, changing our conceptual view of life' and it could be quite profitable as well. Venters company, Sythetic Genomics Inc., has already filed controversial patents on synthetic bugs, which could make fuels such as hydrogen or ethanol. And on June 13, Synthetic Genomics announced a deal with energy giant BP PLC to discover and convert naturally occurring microbes that can turn coal or oil below the earths surface into cleaner fuel. In the emerging field of biotechnology, Venter has plenty of competitors, including Amyris Biotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology spin-off Codon Devices Inc., and EraGen Biosciences. Such research could bring huge benefits: not only drugs and fuels but also bugs that flash when they find explosives or clean up pollution, as well as a much deeper comprehension of the basic mechanisms of biology. Venter foresees creating organisms worth billions or trillions of dollars, but the drawbacks are potentially significant, too, as terrorists could make vicious pathogens and dangerous organisms could be unleashed. Venter, whose company supposedly aims to be the 'Microbesoft' of synthetic biology, is not surprised by the attacks on his work. His team plans to publish a paper showing how they have leapt many hurdles to creating synthetic life, though overcoming objections might be rather challenging.