The Presidential Commission Hears About Synthetic Biology
On July 8th and 9th, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues hosted a series of panels to assess the risks and benefits of synthetic biology. SynBio advocates heralded the field's shiny prospects for health and commerce while advocates and academics speaking from a public-interest perspective cautioned against environmental hazards and potential widening of socioeconomic gaps.
Proponents Drew Endy, Craig Venter, Kristala Prather and George Church, all practicing scientists and/or technological entrepreneurs, discussed benefits including the promises of synthetic algae and vaccines. During the morning's 'Applications' panel, Venter noted his deal with Novartis to produce a synthetic flu vaccine by next flu season, but did not stick around for the afternoon's roundtable plenary discussion intended for all speakers.
Concerned bioethicists and scientists including Allison Snow, Jim Thomas, Greg Kaebnick and Allen Buchanan addressed issues of environmental release, adequacy of "suicide genes" for biocontainment, problems with the development of the bioeconomy, and potential bioterror applications.
Members of President Obama's recently appointed bioethics commissioned seemed to be genuinely processing the advantages and dangers, and respectfully solicited opinions for a course of action. A request by Jim Thomas of the ETC Group for a moratorium did not fall on completely deaf ears, but the Commission's interest clearly focused on how to proceed with caution.
The Commission is requesting public input until September 1st and their report on SynBio recommendations and implications is due on Obama's desk in November of this year.
Previously on Biopolitical Times:
- Politics Belong in Science
- Reactions to Venter's Latest Synthetic Biology Announcement
- President Obama's Bioethics Commission