Synthetic Biology raises safety and security issuesThe European Group on Ethics (EGE) just published its Opinion on the Ethics of Synthetic Biology, adopted on 18 November 2009.
Synthetic biology includes the design of minimal cells/organisms (including minimal genomes); the identification and use of biological ‘parts' (toolkit); and the construction of totally or partially artificial biological systems. Some parts of nanobiotechnology can be considered to be included in this definition.
Research in synthetic biology must respect basic human rights and human dignity, but also safety, sustainability, justice, precaution, freedom of research and proportionality.
The European Commission is asked to develop a code of conduct for synthetic biology similar to the one on nanotechnology and to survey possible gaps in risk assessment and regulations for synthetic biology.
To deal with biosecurity implications, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention should incorporate provisions on the limitation or prohibition of research in synthetic biology.
Governance, IPR, trade and global justice issues should also be addressed by the EU. The EGE asks the EU and member states to promote public dialogue including philosophical and religious issues in an open intercultural forum. Basic and applied research in synthetic biology should be supported by the EU.
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