Talking Synthetic Biology — Launch of Synthetic Biology Dialogue Report
Venter does it again — Landmark paper published by the J. Craig Venter Institute
Redesigning ribosomes — Nature paper by the Chin lab
20 June 2009
The UK's first public dialogue on the emerging field of synthetic biology has found members of the public expressing great interest in the prospect of designing micro-organisms that can help to manufacture medicines and biofuels. Some areas of real concern exist about the potential release of modified bacteria into the environment to clean up contaminated land and about any proposal to create or modify higher life forms or humans.
This public dialogue on synthetic biology was carried out to complement the recent Royal Academy of Engineering inquiry into the field. It was commissioned by The Royal Academy of Engineering, and conducted by People Science and Policy Ltd (PSP).
UK SynBioStandards Network members Jane Calvert, Paul Freemont and Dick Kitney took part in a public dialogue exercise designed to ascertain views and attitudes towards synthetic biology.
This report gives an early and preliminary insight into public perceptions and reactions to synthetic biology, as well as a baseline measure of awareness in Great Britain, which will be useful for comparing changes over time.
RAEng Report 'Synthetic Biology: Public Dialogue on Synthetic Biology'
RAEng report 'Synthetic Biology: Scope, Applications, Implications'
A video of the public event held on 18 June 2009 is available to watch
Listen to the podcast of the Frontier's programme on synthetic biology
