Engineering Biology to Address Global Problems: Synthetic Biology Markets, Needs, and Applications

摘要

Synthetic biology—the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, and the redesign of natural biological systems for useful purposes— opens the richness of biological diversity to solve pressing, real-world problems for humanity and the planet: precisely targeted, personalized medicines; energy-rich molecules for sustainable fuels and industrial chemicals; remediation of polluted environments; and food supplies to meet an explosively growing global population.1 Still, we are far from capitalizing on synthetic biology's fullest potential—a promise that also poses great ethical questions and risks. This places a critical onus on researchers, policymakers, regulatory bodies, industry, and all citizen stakeholders to engage in an intelligent dialogue about how to advance synthetic biology not only to sustain but also to enhance life on Earth.