Freedom and Responsibility in Synthetic Genomics: The Synthetic Yeast Project

Abstract

First introduced in 2011, the Synthetic Yeast Genome (Sc2.0) Project is a large international synthetic genomics project that will culminate in the first eukaryotic cell (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with a fully synthetic genome. With collaborators from across the globe and from a range of institutions spanning from do-it-yourself biology (DIYbio) to commercial enterprises, it is important that all scientists working on this project are cognizant of the ethical and policy issues associated with this field of research and operate under a common set of principles. In this commentary, we survey the current ethics and regulatory landscape of synthetic biology and present the Sc2.0 Statement of Ethics and Governance to which all members of the project adhere. This statement focuses on four aspects of the Sc2.0 Project: societal benefit, intellectual property, safety, and self-governance. We propose that such project-level agreements are an important, valuable, and flexible model of self-regulation for similar global, large-scale synthetic biology projects in order to maximize the benefits and minimize potential harms.

Synthetic genome engineering forging new frontiers for wine yeast

“…[1] This promise, however, also poses great ethical challenges and risks, thereby placing great responsibility on researchers, policymakers, regulatory bodies, industry, and all citizen stakeholders to engage in a meaningful dialog about how to capitalize on the potential of Synthetic Biology to improve quality of life and sustain the planet while minimizing the risk of harm. [3] We can expect that the "hype-horror-hope" nature of a debate like this will intensify and polarize opinions in every sector and industry in the years to come. Thus, there is an urgency that well-informed opinion leaders in the agricultural, food and beverage industries also "lean in" to constructively contribute to this debate.…”

“…This Sc2.0 ethics and governance statement addresses issues that go to the heart of societal benefits, intellectual property, safety, and governance of this international Synthetic Yeast Genome Project. [3] All members of the Sc2.0 consortium undertook to conduct and promote their work for the benefit of humankind and not to bring harm. The Sc2.0 team members agreed to engage with the public and to be transparent and open about their work.…”

“…The governing Executive Committee of the Sc2.0 project undertook to address any issues that might arise Figure 21. Balancing scientific freedom and social responsibility with a project-level agreement and ethics and governance statement to guide the international Synthetic Yeast Genome (Sc2.0) Project (adapted from Silva et al [3]). …”

“…To maintain a healthy balance between freedom and responsibility in synthetic genomics research, the Sc2.0 team is of the view that such project-level agreements are an important, valuable, and flexible model of self-regulation for similar global, large-scale Synthetic Biology projects to maximize the benefits and minimize potential harms. [3] Beyond the horizon…”

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“…This statement, which is posted on the project's web site syntheticyeast.org and the process by which it was collectively drafted, is described in a recently submitted publication [7].…”