Synthetic Biology and the United Nations

Lai, Hung-En; Canavan, Caoimhe; Cameron, Loren; Danchenko, Monika; Kuiken, Todd A.; Sekeyová, Zuzana; Freemont, Paul S.

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.05.011

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…There are several international and national frameworks dealing with genetically modified organisms. At the international level, the primary source of guidance is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its protocols, which are the main international instruments dealing with genetically modified organisms ( Lai et al ., 2019 ). Gene drive organisms are broadly considered to fall under the scope of the Convention and so the provisions of the CBD and its Protocols are applicable, including for cases involving transboundary movement ( CBD, 2017 ).…”

Section: International Governance Relevant To Gene Drive Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This technology is not the first case where a coordinated approach has been required. For instance, the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, whose objective is the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources, has challenged how pathogens get shared for medical research purposes without creating risks of inappropriate use ( World Health Organisation, 2019 ). Similarly, the use of DDT for malaria control has required engagement between the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the WHO ( World Health Organization, 2001 ).…”

Section: Challenges In the Regulatory Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research on gene drive organisms is not new, but in recent years technical advances, such as in CRISPR, have supported scientific progress to the point where using gene drive organisms for tackling major issues, such as malaria, is now within the realm of possibility ( Feachem et al ., 2019 ; Redford et al ., 2019 ; World Health Organization, 2019 ). Gene drive is a naturally occurring phenomenon of biased inheritance, by which a trait can increase in frequency in the progeny, even if there is a fitness effect, through sexual reproduction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Providing a policy framework for responsible gene drive research: an analysis of the existing governance landscape and priority areas for further research

Thizy¹,

Coche²,

Vries³

2020

Wellcome Open Res

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The progress in gene drive research has made the possibility of a future release in the environment probable. This prospect is raising new questions related to the adequacy of the policy frameworks in place to manage and regulate the research and its outcomes responsibly. A number of international mechanisms are exploring how to evaluate this technology. Amongst them, the Convention of Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol, the review mechanisms of the World Health Organisation, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are offering international fora for dialogue, while regional entities, such as the African Union, are developing specific frameworks to build their preparedness for oversight of gene drive organisms. In this manuscript, we review the existing regulatory landscape around gene drive research and map areas of convergence and divergence, as well as gaps in relation to guidelines for community engagement in gene drive research.

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Section: International Governance Relevant To Gene Drive Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Challenges In the Regulatory Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Providing a policy framework for responsible gene drive research: an analysis of the existing governance landscape and priority areas for further research

Thizy¹,

Coche²,

Vries³

2020

Wellcome Open Res

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“…The field of synthetic biology has emerged over the last twenty years into a highly dynamic community of interdisciplinary researchers and societal stakeholders, that are working toward the responsible development and implementation of cutting-edge biotechnologies (Cameron et al, 2014;El Karoui et al, 2019;Lai et al, 2019). Synthetic biology combines knowledge across numerous scientific disciplines including molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics and the social sciences, whilst also integrating them within an engineering design framework (Anderson et al, 2019;Trump et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Materials: The Next Frontier for Cell-Free Synthetic Biology

Kelwick

Webb

Freemont

2020

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Advancements in cell-free synthetic biology are enabling innovations in sustainable biomanufacturing, that may ultimately shift the global manufacturing paradigm toward localized and ecologically harmonized production processes. Cell-free synthetic biology strategies have been developed for the bioproduction of fine chemicals, biofuels and biological materials. Cell-free workflows typically utilize combinations of purified enzymes, cell extracts for biotransformation or cell-free protein synthesis reactions, to assemble and characterize biosynthetic pathways. Importantly, cell-free reactions can combine the advantages of chemical engineering with metabolic engineering, through the direct addition of co-factors, substrates and chemicals-including those that are cytotoxic. Cell-free synthetic biology is also amenable to automatable design cycles through which an array of biological materials and their underpinning biosynthetic pathways can be tested and optimized in parallel. Whilst challenges still remain, recent convergences between the materials sciences and these advancements in cell-free synthetic biology enable new frontiers for materials research.

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“…Synthetic biology offers scientists the opportunity to modify living systems by applying novel genetic techniques which have the potential to address pressing environmental and industrial challenges (Lai et al, 2019;Delborne et al, 2020). To realize this impact, deep and genuine science integration between disparate disciplines (and their institutions) will be required.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Promises and Realities of Integration in Synthetic Biology: A View From Social Science

Carter

Mankad

2021

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Discussions about the responsible advancement of synthetic biology science are at fever pitch. Commentators from across the globe are calling for greater integrated science investments and more inclusive governance processes in the development and implementation of these potentially disruptive technologies. We take stock of the promises and realities of science integration by sharing our experiences of embarking on this very challenge in Australia. We conclude by offering suggestions for bringing about the enabling conditions for improved integration across the natural and social sciences. Four key actions are articulated to help pivot synthetic biology toward a more integrated scientific endeavor: (a) formalizing inclusivity from inception to project conclusion; (b) valuing differing philosophical positions as a strength rather than a barrier; (c) accepting that integration takes persistence and communication but is immensely rewarding; and (d) promoting meaningful interactions, such as pursuing joint opportunities, co-designing and co-publishing research. We argue that these actions are key enablers for realizing science integration in synthetic biology.

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Synthetic Biology and the United Nations

Cited by 17 publications

References 8 publications

Providing a policy framework for responsible gene drive research: an analysis of the existing governance landscape and priority areas for further research

Providing a policy framework for responsible gene drive research: an analysis of the existing governance landscape and priority areas for further research

Biological Materials: The Next Frontier for Cell-Free Synthetic Biology

The Promises and Realities of Integration in Synthetic Biology: A View From Social Science

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