Pro: By building the first synthetic genome, Venter has come oh so close to creating life. Man-made genomes could lead to all kinds of molecular magic, like new species that treat disease, or cells that convert sunlight into a biofuel.
Con: Venter has yet to place his product in a cell to prove that it truly is alive, though he predicts that will happen in a year. And his tendency to speak his mind and to self promote will always leave critics wary about applauding his scientific achievements.