This article was first published by Science Progress.
The President’s Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues released its first report, the result of a six-month study of synthetic biology. The study was ordered by the president in response to an announcement last May by the J. Craig Venter Institute that it had inserted a laboratory-made genome into a bacterial cell, creating an organism not found in nature. Observers disagree about whether the technical achievement should be considered the creation of life or not, but the announcement drew public attention to the implications of the rapidly growing synbio field.
According to the report, synthetic biology holds great promise to unlock new possibilities in human health and environmental protection. Scientists and entrepreneurs are already working to devise ways to use cells with synthetic genomes to produce renewable fuels, hydrogen, or even generate electricity directly through artificial photosynthesis. In health care it is hoped that synbio may one day lead to improved production of drugs and vaccines, and to novel treatments.
But, as with any valuable new technology, the pursuit of these benefits comes along with certain risks that must be weighed accordingly. Concerns about intentional misuse of synthetic biology aside, there is also the possibility that synthetically developed microbes could escape domestication and cause damage to ecosystems or human health. The report released today recommends a series of regulatory measures to anticipate those risks.
Bioethics Commission Chair Amy Gutmann stated in connection with the release of the study that “We considered an array of approaches to regulation—from allowing unfettered freedom with minimal oversight and another to prohibiting experiments until they can be ruled completely safe beyond a reasonable doubt. We chose a middle course to maximize public benefits while also safeguarding against risks. … prudent vigilance suggests that federal oversight is needed and can be exercised in a way that is consistent with scientific progress,” Gutmann said.
Among the commission’s recommendations:
- The Executive Office of the President, possibly through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, should coordinate federal agencies that oversee areas related to synthetic biology, including oversight, product licensing and funding.
- Risk assessment activities across the government need to be coordinated and field release permitted only after reasonable risk assessment.
- The Executive Office of the President should remain actively engaged with “do it yourself” groups to communicate and discuss applicable safety and security issues.
- Recognizing that international coordination is essential for safety and security, the Department of State, in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security, should collaborate with governments around the world, as well as leading international organizations, such as the World Health Organization to promote ongoing dialogue about emerging technologies like synthetic biology.
- The National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy and other federal agencies should evaluate research proposals through peer-review in order to make sure that the most promising scientific research is conducted on the public’s behalf.
- Educational classes on the ethical dilemmas raised by synthetic biology should be a mandatory part of training for young researchers, engineers, and others who work in this emerging field.
- Forums should be established to improve the general public’s understanding of this field, including the creation of a biology equivalent to FactCheck.org, in which a private group would track statements about the science and offer an independent view of the truth of such claims.
The complete report is available at bioethics.gov.
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