Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an umbrella term that refers to techniques for re-engineering the fundamental molecular structures of life, including genes, genomes, cells, and proteins. Some of the techniques being developed modify existing bacteria or insects to perform new functions, produce useful substances, or create novel artificial organisms for research purposes. Synthetic biologists foresee a host of applications, including new methods for producing drugs, biofuels, and vaccines; diagnosing, preventing, and treating disease; and – far more controversially and far-off – synthesizing modified human genes to produce specified traits in future children and generations.
At present, no comprehensive framework for assessment, oversight, and regulation of synthetic biology exists nationally or internationally.
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This webcast explores the new techniques of synthetic biology and gene editing, and their capacity to redesign nature, from seeds to insects to people.
The technologies are being rapidly developed and robustly funded, in most cases well ahead of safety assessments, public engagement, and social oversight. What does this mean for people and the planet – and what can we do about it?
- Dana Perls, Friends of the Earth
- Ricarda Steinbrecher, EcoNexus
- Jaydee Hanson, Center for Food Safety
- Pete Shanks, Center for Genetics and Society
Moderated by Marcy Darnovsky, Center for Genetics and Society
If you were unable to join us, or would like to see the webcast again, click below to watch the event in its entirety.
You can find written replies to some of the questions and comments that were submitted by participants here.