Synthetic Biology Debate
For those of us who are easily inebriated by the exciting frontiers of scientific research and engineering, it is important to consider the sobering responsibilities that come with the work. I had such an opportunity a few nights ago at the Synthetic Biology Debate hosted by The Long Now.
I witnessed an engaging dialog on the open and active development of synthetic biology along with its potentially disasterous consequences. Drew Endy is developing a vision for bioengineering that would place fundamental biological units, devices and eventually entire systems (think organisms) under our control. Jim Thomas, on the other hand, offers a compelling parallel in the story of synthetic chemistry and its tragic misdirection and misuse in economic, industrial and military settings. Will synthetic biology take a similar path? Will the consequences be all the more dire due to its powerful potential? If not precautionary action, at the very least, increased vigilance is probably prudent.
Read Stewart Brand’s summary of the debate and keep an eye out for (better yet, demand) future dialog on this and other areas of research you participate in or think about.
