Report Formulates Strategies to Ensure Responsible Use of Synthetic Biology

A recent report evaluates the current state of synthetic biology and formulates policies that can support continued research and development of beneficial applications and prevent possible misuses of the technology.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO; Washington, DC, USA) applauded the report, called "Synthetic Genomics: Options for Governance,” released by the J. Craig Venter Institute (Rockville, MD, USA), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington, DC, USA), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA).

"Synthetic genomics is rapidly expanding the field of industrial biotechnology research and creating new opportunities to produce environmentally friendly fuels and biobased products, low-cost chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, as well as new nutritional products and food ingredients,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO's Industrial and Environmental Section. "Industrial biotechnology is the key enabling technology in the U.S. effort to build a sustainable biobased economy and to reduce reliance on petroleum.”

The findings of the report included: 1) There are at least 24 companies within the United States and 21 in other countries--notably Germany and Canada--engaged in commercial synthesis of gene- and genome-length DNA. 2) Improvements in the speed and cost of DNA synthesis are opening the field of industrial biotechnology to new participants (e.g., engineers seeking new tools). 3) DNA synthesis has already been applied in research on new or improved drugs--for example, the antimalarial drug artemisinin. 4) Synthetic genomics could help create biologic routes to cost-effective biofuels, including hydrocarbons, and renewable chemical platforms. 5) Lastly, biobased manufacturing using genetically enhanced microbes (GEMS) can produce the raw materials for environmentally friendly products or the pathways for cleaner methods of production.

Dr. Erickson continued, "The industrial biotechnology industry has a very good record regarding the responsible use of GEMS. The biotech research community and industry must also take actions to ensure the responsible conduct of synthetic genomics research. These actions will help maintain confidence among the public and regulatory authorities that the advancement of synthetic genomics will be beneficial to society. Designing ways to impede malicious uses, while at the same time promoting beneficial uses of synthetic genomics, is critically important to the development of this technology. This report is a thoughtful and encouraging step in the right direction.”

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations across the United States and 31 other countries. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products.


Related Links:
Biotechnology Industry Organization
J. Craig Venter Institute
Center for Strategic and International Studies