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Synthetic Biology in the Real World: Taking the Big View

Synthetic Biology in the Real World: Taking the Big View. Learning from Others Preparing for the Inevitable UCSF- SynBerc 1/18/12 Margaret S. Race, Ph.D. SETI Institute, Mountain View CA. Perspectives of a Natural Biologist?. Ecologist:

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Synthetic Biology in the Real World: Taking the Big View

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  1. Synthetic Biology in the Real World:Taking the Big View Learning from Others Preparing for the Inevitable UCSF- SynBerc 1/18/12 Margaret S. Race, Ph.D. SETI Institute, Mountain View CA

  2. Perspectives of a Natural Biologist? • Ecologist: • Technology Issues (EIS’s & nuclear and fossil fuel power plants) • Technology & Environmental Change (TRR & mudsnails; Man Made Wetlands) • Genetic Engineering - UCB (EIS’s, scientific uncertainty, & public concern) • NASA and Astrobiology (EIS’s and Mars Sample Return) • Interest in Synthetic Biology for several reasons-- Research on • 1) Impediments to Missions (within & beyond science/tech community) • 2) Emerging Technologies, Decision Making, Risk Communication & the Public • 3) BSL-4 labs, biocontainment and public response • 4) Space Synthetic Biology Workshop-- Ethical and Societal Issues • What Can I share? Recognize A Broader Framework for science beyond the lab

  3. Shaping the Science-Industry-Policy Interface in Synthetic Biology S. Gaisser and T. Reiss, Syst Synth Biol (2009) 3:109-114 • Gaiser & Reiss identified Roadblocks = • Conflicting attitudes to intellectual property • Different expectations re: Benefits of collaboration • Different time frame wrt time horizon • Built on mainly Disciplinary Approaches • Similar to Genetic Engineering but Need focus on Standardization • But also new concerns about • unforseen or dangerous functions • Security • Public perception • Suggested NEED for: • Framework = ”Triple Helix” of Science-Industry-Policy • ID and Define Common Goals (standardization, organize, report, share, registries, patents, international consistency, licenses etc. • Security/screening (prevent misuse) • Public Communication

  4. My View of their "Triple Helix" Collaborative Framework to Help Demonstrate Proof of Synbio Socioeconomic Issues Standardization Intellectual Property Public Perception Openness and Dialogue Science- Industry Relations Science Industry Government Government as Moderator in Dialogue between Industry and Science

  5. Socioeconomic Issues Standardization Intellectual Property Public Perception Openness and Dialogue Science- Industry Relations Science Industry So…How’s it working? Government

  6. Policy & Review Process for Genetic Engineering still isn't certain Biotech Firms Caught In Regulatory No Man's Land by JOE PALCA NPR, Jan. 5, 2012 AquaBounty's genetically modified salmon is seen swimming behind a much smaller wild Atlantic salmon of the same age. AquaBounty has been trying to get government approval to sell its salmon for more than a decade.

  7. Roses are Red, Roses are Bluish Science 7 October 2011: vol. 334 no. 6052 22-25 "A 25 year struggle to sell genetically-engineered ‘blue’ roses in the US took a big step forward…"

  8. Lessons/Issues for SynBio? • Scientists comfortable with Synbio, but infrastructure is not ready • More than just a dialogue between Scientists & Industry with Government as Moderator • Need Frame the Picture Bigger – Like for Astrobiology (Mars Sample Return ) • Identify Impediments to Progress/Adoption • Society is not ‘outside’ of Triple Helix • Engage the Public– (not just one way communication) • Public Perceptions do not Equal Ignorance or Misperceptions • Risk Assessment – How ID, Measure, Weigh, Benefits and Pitfalls of Technoscience? • What is Public Benefit? What are Costs? (short and long term?) • Need Gain Support and Engagement of Civic Stakeholders • No Such thing as Societal Informed Consent--Scientists/Industry feel they ‘do good work’; are ‘ethical’; (focus behond 'now'---Public raise other questions) • Need Consider primary, indirect, cumulative impacts– not just benefits • acknowledge lack of science certainty….or even data); Reversibility?

  9. Consider Framing the Story as Science in the Real World Context: Science In The News Will Hear About It In Media, Not Just Textbooks Controversy And Debate Likely To Continue Many Different Perspectives Different types of science data and info needed Need To Distinguish Basic Science Facts (Uncertainties; Data Interpretation) Vs. Applied Science, Decision Making Vs. Societal Implications (Short And Long Term)

  10. Like Issues with Climate Change: The Big Picture Scientists involved in many aspects Addressing Understanding

  11. Where Do Sciences & Scientists Fit?(don't just focus on near term-- getting things to market etc.) if emerging technologies are used as 'solutions' , what are the scientific, technical, societal, environmenta,l economic and other implications if new problems arise? How does this fit into the decision making process?

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