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Building biosecurity for synthetic biology.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Galaitsi, SE 
Appleton, Evan 
Bleijs, Diederik A 
Florin, Marie-Valentine 

Abstract

The fast-paced field of synthetic biology is fundamentally changing the global biosecurity framework. Current biosecurity regulations and strategies are based on previous governance paradigms for pathogen-oriented security, recombinant DNA research, and broader concerns related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Many scholarly discussions and biosecurity practitioners are therefore concerned that synthetic biology outpaces established biosafety and biosecurity measures to prevent deliberate and malicious or inadvertent and accidental misuse of synthetic biology's processes or products. This commentary proposes three strategies to improve biosecurity: Security must be treated as an investment in the future applicability of the technology; social scientists and policy makers should be engaged early in technology development and forecasting; and coordination among global stakeholders is necessary to ensure acceptable levels of risk.

Description

Keywords

Containment of Biohazards, DNA, Recombinant, Humans, Industrial Development, Internationality, Medicine, Organisms, Genetically Modified, Policy Making, Risk Factors, Social Sciences, Synthetic Biology, Virulence

Journal Title

Mol Syst Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1744-4292
1744-4292

Volume Title

16

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC