Synthetic biology: the beginning of the path
Consortium of US scientists has outlined the goals of synthetic biology
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
The Synthetic Biology Consortium, which unites 80 scientists and engineers from 30 universities and more than ten US companies, has published a roadmap for the development of the industry for the next 20 years. The report is addressed primarily to the US government and calls on the authorities to make the development of biotechnologies a national priority, following the example of China and the UK.
Already today, synthetic biology makes it possible to create genetically modified crops, specialized microorganisms for the synthesis of drugs and biofuels, as well as gene therapy tools. However, this is only the beginning, the authors of the report are sure.
Future bioengineering projects will become much more ambitious and will begin to change the world on a global scale. Some of them are already in the early stages of development. For example, a group of researchers from Berkeley plans to change the microbiome of cows so that they digest feed more efficiently and produce less climate-threatening methane. Other projects include the development of crops resistant to changing climate, as well as microorganisms capable of purifying sea and river waters.
The authors of the report called on the United States to make biotechnology the same national priority as the development of quantum computers. The authorities of the UK and China have already made such a decision, according to a press release of the UC Berkeley Scientists chart course towards a new world of synthetic biology.
The roadmap will allow investments to be directed by various government agencies, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. However, the instructions contained in it are addressed not only to politicians, but also to researchers and engineers. Over time, the document will be edited in response to new discoveries and social needs.
An important aspect of the development of synthetic biology is working with society. Genetically modified organisms still cause distrust and fear among many. To avoid such a reaction to new achievements of bioengineers, it is necessary to take into account all possible consequences of their introduction, both social and environmental.
The development of synthetic biology has not only a bright side, but also a dark side. According to some experts, affordable and cheap biotechnologies will inevitably be used with malicious intent – for example, to create weapons of mass destruction. And sooner or later humanity will inevitably face the use of synthetic biology for destructive purposes.
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