Human Genome: About 20,000 protein coding genes.
E. Coli: A lab strain of the E. Coli bacterium use for research has 4,460 genes.
SpudCell: This new synthetic cell only has 36 genes.
Wow, so little genes even compared to E. Coli! Things like this make me wonder what the minimum number of genes is required to maintain functionality for cells in species we have all around us. There isn't much evolutionary pressure to do the genetic equivalent of dead code removal (See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum_arvense) besides the ability to copy the genes.
My other first impression is the potential similarities to alien contact. What if these cells, once given the ability to reproduce autonomously, become widespread around the globe, with no way for our, and other species', immune systems to prevent their consumption of biomatter, or whatever is made to be their "food".