Emerging regulatory challenges of next-generation synthetic biology
Taylor Sheahan, Hans‐Joachim Wieden
Abstract
Cell-free synthetic biology is a rapidly developing biotechnology with the potential to solve the world's biggest problems; however, this promise also has implications for global biosecurity and biosafety. Given the current situation of COVID-19 and its economic impact, capitalizing on the potential of cell-free synthetic biology from an economic, biosafety, and biosecurity perspective contributes to our preparedness for the next pandemic, and urges the development of appropriate policies and regulations, together with the necessary mitigation technologies. Proactive involvement from scientists is necessary to avoid misconceptions and assist in the policymaking process.
Topics & Concepts
BiosafetyBiosecurityCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PreparednessSynthetic biologyPandemicProcess (computing)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakBiotechnologyBusinessBiologyPolitical scienceRisk analysis (engineering)Computer scienceComputational biologyEcologyVirologyLawInfectious disease (medical specialty)MedicineOutbreakOperating systemPathologyDiseaseCRISPR and Genetic EngineeringCAR-T cell therapy researchViral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects