Synthetic biology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims to design and construct new biological systems not found in nature.Whereas synthetic biology may yield tremendous benefits,it may also pose substantia...Synthetic biology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims to design and construct new biological systems not found in nature.Whereas synthetic biology may yield tremendous benefits,it may also pose substantial risks to human health and the environment that must be addressed.In this paper,we examined the environmental risks associated with synthetic biology,including changes to or depletion of the environment,competition with native species,horizontal gene transfer,pathogenicity or toxicity,bioterrorism,and laboratory biosecurity.We highlight three approaches for assessing environmental risks in synthetic biology:solution-focused risk assessment,Bayesian networks,and network of networks for sustainable capacity building.An ethical governance framework is proposed to facilitate innovation while minimising risks.This framework emphasises the precautionary principle and balancing stakeholder interests prior to project development and commercialisation.Overall,we underscore the importance and urgency of assessing and managing the environmental risks of synthetic biology to ensure its safe and ethical development and application.展开更多
Considerable progress has been achieved in basic research and the biotechnological application of biological sciences in recent years.Synthetic biology integrates systems biology,engineering,computer science,and other...Considerable progress has been achieved in basic research and the biotechnological application of biological sciences in recent years.Synthetic biology integrates systems biology,engineering,computer science,and other disciplines to achieve the“modification of life”or even the“creation of life”via the redesign of existing natural systems or the development of new biological components and devices.However,the research and application of synthetic biology can create potential risks,such as aggravation of species with complex gene modifications,threats to species diversity,abuse of biological weapons,laboratory leaks,and man-made mutations.Without a suitable governance system,such research activities could result in harm to humans,plants,and animals,as well as to natural ecological systems.In this article,we first briefly summarize technical progress in synthetic biology in recent years and the potential bioethical and biosecurity risks,and then describe current international treaties,guidance documents,and national regulatory measures designed to address potential harm caused by the dual-use property of synthetic biology,including the Biological Weapons Convention,the Convention on Biological Diversity,and the Model Code of Conduct for Biological Scientists(Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists).In addition,we also present some recommendations for better governance of synthetic biology research and applications in China,including strengthening the biosecurity capacity,improving the biosecurity regulatory system,and promoting multilevel international cooperation to effectively address the potential biosecurity risks of synthetic biology.展开更多
Synthetic biology is a new interdisciplinary research area that uses engineering principles as guidelines for biological investigation.With research goals to modify existing biological systems or to create new ones,th...Synthetic biology is a new interdisciplinary research area that uses engineering principles as guidelines for biological investigation.With research goals to modify existing biological systems or to create new ones,the recent applications of synthetic biology have expanded approaches and tools for conventional biological research.In this article,we first briefly review the development and progress of synthetic biology over the past decade.Although the contributions of synthetic biology to basic life science research,human health,environmental protection,and even economic growth have been widely observed,potential biosafety,biosecurity,and ethical risks related to synthetic biology have also emerged in recent years as technology becomes less expensive,more mature,and more accessible.We provide a brief assessment of the risks associated with the possible misuse or abuse of this technology in various areas and discuss concerns from three points of view:biosafety,biosecurity risks,and ethics.Finally,to address challenges arising from the rapid progress of synthetic biology,technical,ethical,and regulatory measures were developed or discussed in recent years,including laboratory level precautionary measures for biosafety and biosecurity related to synthetic biology(such as genetic safeguards and firewalls),ethical codes of conduct for biological scientists,and regulations or oversight rules from personal,national,and international perspectives.A brief summary of these efforts is provided.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology(Research on The Framework of Ethical Governance on Synthetic Biology,2018YFA0902400)and the National Social Science Foundation of China(Research on the Safety and Ethical Issues of Synthetic Biology and Its Countermeasures,18CZX020)。
文摘Synthetic biology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims to design and construct new biological systems not found in nature.Whereas synthetic biology may yield tremendous benefits,it may also pose substantial risks to human health and the environment that must be addressed.In this paper,we examined the environmental risks associated with synthetic biology,including changes to or depletion of the environment,competition with native species,horizontal gene transfer,pathogenicity or toxicity,bioterrorism,and laboratory biosecurity.We highlight three approaches for assessing environmental risks in synthetic biology:solution-focused risk assessment,Bayesian networks,and network of networks for sustainable capacity building.An ethical governance framework is proposed to facilitate innovation while minimising risks.This framework emphasises the precautionary principle and balancing stakeholder interests prior to project development and commercialisation.Overall,we underscore the importance and urgency of assessing and managing the environmental risks of synthetic biology to ensure its safe and ethical development and application.
基金This research was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2019YFA0904600 and 2020YFA0908600).
文摘Considerable progress has been achieved in basic research and the biotechnological application of biological sciences in recent years.Synthetic biology integrates systems biology,engineering,computer science,and other disciplines to achieve the“modification of life”or even the“creation of life”via the redesign of existing natural systems or the development of new biological components and devices.However,the research and application of synthetic biology can create potential risks,such as aggravation of species with complex gene modifications,threats to species diversity,abuse of biological weapons,laboratory leaks,and man-made mutations.Without a suitable governance system,such research activities could result in harm to humans,plants,and animals,as well as to natural ecological systems.In this article,we first briefly summarize technical progress in synthetic biology in recent years and the potential bioethical and biosecurity risks,and then describe current international treaties,guidance documents,and national regulatory measures designed to address potential harm caused by the dual-use property of synthetic biology,including the Biological Weapons Convention,the Convention on Biological Diversity,and the Model Code of Conduct for Biological Scientists(Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists).In addition,we also present some recommendations for better governance of synthetic biology research and applications in China,including strengthening the biosecurity capacity,improving the biosecurity regulatory system,and promoting multilevel international cooperation to effectively address the potential biosecurity risks of synthetic biology.
基金This research was supported by grants from the Tianjin Social Science Federation(No.2017-03-15)the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission(No.18JCQNJC10000),and the Tianjin University Research Initiation Fund.
文摘Synthetic biology is a new interdisciplinary research area that uses engineering principles as guidelines for biological investigation.With research goals to modify existing biological systems or to create new ones,the recent applications of synthetic biology have expanded approaches and tools for conventional biological research.In this article,we first briefly review the development and progress of synthetic biology over the past decade.Although the contributions of synthetic biology to basic life science research,human health,environmental protection,and even economic growth have been widely observed,potential biosafety,biosecurity,and ethical risks related to synthetic biology have also emerged in recent years as technology becomes less expensive,more mature,and more accessible.We provide a brief assessment of the risks associated with the possible misuse or abuse of this technology in various areas and discuss concerns from three points of view:biosafety,biosecurity risks,and ethics.Finally,to address challenges arising from the rapid progress of synthetic biology,technical,ethical,and regulatory measures were developed or discussed in recent years,including laboratory level precautionary measures for biosafety and biosecurity related to synthetic biology(such as genetic safeguards and firewalls),ethical codes of conduct for biological scientists,and regulations or oversight rules from personal,national,and international perspectives.A brief summary of these efforts is provided.
