expert corner
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND THE
RESPONSIBLE FUTURES
The ever changing dynamics in the genetic engineering have popped up the term
‘responsible innovation’ which means equal attention to societal needs as well as
ethics, write India’s top experts
S
ynthetic Biology describes a
rational design approach to
engineer biological systems
using a standard inventory of
parts and rules of composition. The
ability to move from discovery to
design, has unleashed a new wave of
creativity among scientists. People
are suddenly excited about building
everything: including DNA, RNA,
protein organelles, cells and tissues,
towards useful applications.
Though the term genetic engineering
was liberally used for many decades,
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BioVoiceNews | June 2016
quite frankly, the engineering in
genetics has just begun. Furthermore,
this interface of engineering and
genetics is rapidly broadening as well
as deepening. This is due to the fact
that creation of a genetically modified
organism has been based on
probabilities than precision i.e.,
combining redesigned vector with the
host cell at a certain concentration
hinged on a hope that the vector will
temporarily express in the cell and
deliver the much needed cargo.
Though this approach has been highly
successful, it is a demonstration of
probability, not engineering.
In June 2004, synthetic biology
made its formal appearance through
its first conference at MIT, laying a
new engineering foundation in
biology even though the introductory
work and terminology were coined
much earlier. This event triggered a
massive influx of ideas towards
computer aided design of organisms.
In India, synthetic biology research
is at a nascent stage and there is a
need to bring various stakeholders