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
5 August 2008
'Synthetic biology: Risks and opportunities of an emerging field' is a concept note from the International Risk Governance Council, written by Jane Calvert and Joyce Tait of Innogen, both Network members.
The introduction describes its content as follows:
"The concept note starts by addressing the issue of how synthetic biology is defined, because this has implications for how it should be regulated. It explores the distinctions between synthetic biology and genetic engineering, and looks at the relationship of synthetic biology to systems biology. It examines the three most prominent areas of research activity that go on under the heading of 'synthetic biology' and then turns to the environmental, health and industrial applications of the field. It examines the risks of synthetic biology in the areas of biosafety, biosecurity and intellectual property, and it also addresses ethical issues, particularly concerning the distinction between the 'natural' and 'unnatural'. Finally, it turns to the present regulatory context, and considers some of the suggestions that have been put forward for the regulation of synthetic biology in the areas of biosecurity and biosafety. It also explores proposals for self-governance - such as voluntary codes of practice - and the objections raised to these initiatives."
The concept note (PDF, 1.8 MB)
