Synthetic biology
Setting
Synthetic biology is a new scientific and technological domain where scientists and engineers attempt to change existing organisms by designing and synthetically creating genes or proteins, metabolic or development processes, and entire biological systems, in order to understand the basic mechanics of the molecules of biological organisms and to create new and useful functions. Synthetic biology might have an impact in the following industries: biofuels, anticontaminants, textile, cosmetics, diagnostic and therapeutic instruments, vaccines, medicines, and ingredients for food products and pet food and feed (Europese Groep Ethiek, 2009).
Until now, there have hardly been any societal or political discussions in Flanders about the significance of synthetic biology for our society and the potential for the environment, the biodiversity, economy, (bio)safety, health care, and so on. Nevertheless, synthetic biology, with its predominant engineering perspective touches on some fundamental dichotomies, such as natural/artificial, life/death, man/machine, study/design, etc.
Therefore, the first objective of this IST project will be to provide an IST dossier on synthetic biology, being relevant for Flanders, with an elucidating and introductory exploration of the subject. This dossier is principally directed at the Flemish policymakers but interested citizens, scientists, knowledge institutions and civil society organizations are potential readers too.
The information contained in the dossier will be presented in an attractive and purposive way during a valorization activity related to this research.
Planning
The elaboration of a text for the IST dossier will take three steps.
Phase 1:
To collect, synthesize and formulate the technological and societal aspects, opportunities and policy-related points of interest of synthetic biology, found in both national and international academic literature, policy documents and written media.
To map out the big (potential) players (companies, research and government institutions), both at an international and national or Flemish level.
Phase 2:
To plan, carry out and process the interviews with the knowledge actors in Flanders about the societal and policy relevance of synthetic biology for Flanders.
Phase 3:
To synthesize the data from the 1st and 2nd step in the form of an informative text for an IST dossier relevant for Flanders, with a clear and introductory exploration of the subject ‘synthetic biology’.
