He makes no secret of his desire to use his knowledge of human genetics to perfect and patent new drugs and treatments. Synthesised bugs could be designed to produce certain chemicals - just as genetically modified bacteria do today, but far more efficiently. It may be possible to design bacteria to produce large quantities of beneficial drugs. In theory, it could be possible to deliberately create harmful bacteria which are immune to any antibiotic and against which humans have no defences. There is no doubt that people like Saddam Hussein would pay a fortune for such technology.
Some clergymen are unhappy about scientists creating life.
Having said that, with advances in technology, particularly in computing, it may be possible in a few decades' time.