Synthetic biology is an emerging field at the interface between biology and engineering, which has generated many expectations for beneficial biomedical and biotechnological applications. At the same time, however, it has also raised concerns about risks or the aim of producing new forms of living organisms. Researchers from different disciplines as well as policymakers and the general public have expressed the need for a form of technology assessment that not only deals with technical aspects, but also includes societal and ethical issues. A recent and very influential model of technology assessment that tries to implement these aims is known as RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation). In this paper, we introduce this model and its historical precursor strategies. Based on the societal and ethical issues which are presented in the current literature, we discuss challenges and opportunities of applying the RRI model for the assessment of synthetic biology.
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November 2016
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Cover Image
Illustration of an agent-based model of engineered bacteria containing synthetic genetic circuits that enable communication via diffusive quorum sensing molecules. In this issue, Thomas Gorochowski reviews the use of agent-based modelling in synthetic biology and presents examples of the synthetic cellular systems amenable to this technique. For more information, please see pp. 325-336. Image provided by Thomas Gorochowski.
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Review Article|
November 30 2016
Societal impact of synthetic biology: responsible research and innovation (RRI)
Daniel Gregorowius;
Daniel Gregorowius
1Institute for Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 30, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
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Anna Deplazes-Zemp
1Institute for Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 30, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
Correspondence: Anna Deplazes-Zemp (deplazes@ethik.uzh.ch)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
May 27 2016
Revision Received:
October 05 2016
Accepted:
October 19 2016
Online ISSN: 1744-1358
Print ISSN: 0071-1365
© 2016 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2016
Essays Biochem (2016) 60 (4): 371–379.
Article history
Received:
May 27 2016
Revision Received:
October 05 2016
Accepted:
October 19 2016
Citation
Vitor B. Pinheiro, Daniel Gregorowius, Anna Deplazes-Zemp; Societal impact of synthetic biology: responsible research and innovation (RRI). Essays Biochem 30 November 2016; 60 (4): 371–379. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20160039
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