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Zurich May 11: Together with Lifescience Zurich, the Institute of Biomedical Ethics at the University of Zurich (IBME) organizes a public panel discussion on the question of how Synthetic Biology might change our understanding of life. Speakers are: Sonja Billerbeck (Synthetic Biology), Christoph Rehmann-Sutter (Philosophy), Harald Matern (Theology), Anna Deplazes-Zemp (IBME).
http://www.lifescience-zurichevents.ch/index.php?id=161
WASHINGTON – The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is soliciting public opinion on the most critical ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) for synthetic biology in a new online survey, which will provide guidance as federal agencies, foundations, industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders with limited resources seek to address key ELSI concerns.
The online survey asks respondents to rate a number of actions that could address ELSI issues, such as ensuring long-term effects of synthetic biology are benign, tracking public and private investment in the field, or labeling products that include synthetic biology in their manufacture.
By prioritizing these potential actions, resources can be better focused on areas of public concern. The results of this anonymous survey will be analyzed and compiled into a report, which will be released in mid- to late-May 2012. To take the survey, click here.
This survey builds on a workshop held Nov. 8-9, 2010, at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. The workshop culminated in a July 2011 report, Issues Arising from Synthetic Biology: What Lies Ahead?, which identified potential challenges and pressing research needs. A PDF of the report can be found here.
The workshop was sponsored by the Wilson Center, the Department of Energy, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Following the workshop, an online survey was conducted to gather further input about which ELSI issues should be considered in the context of synthetic biology. The list of priorities in the new survey integrates the workshop-generated ideas with the post-workshop online input.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is seeking views on the ethical issues posed by emerging biotechnologies. The Council recently set up an expert Working Party to explore this topic and views are sought to inform the Working Party’s deliberations.
The Working Party is interested in the way society and policy makers respond to new biotechnologies and how benefits from these technologies can be secured in an ethically appropriate manner. The Working Party will consider this issue in light of both current examples of emerging biotechnologies, such as synthetic biology and nanotechnology, and older cases, such as genetically modified crops and assisted reproduction technologies.
