The Transnational Governance of Synthetic Biology: Scientific uncertainty, cross-borderness and the ‘art’ of governance. For the Royal Society Science Policy Centre (UK).

摘要

Synthetic biology is a new field of research that aims to 'make biology easier to engineer'. Some claimudthat it could revolutionise biotechnology to deliver applications for the energy, medical andudagricultural sectors. However there are concerns about potential environmental and health risks, theudcreation of monopolies dominated by large multinational corporations, and the ethics of creatingudartificial life. How should synthetic biology be best governed to maximise benefits and minimiseudrisks? In the last seven years, some 40 reports (in the English language alone) have addressed theudsocial, ethical and legal issues raised by synthetic biology. This Working Paper, based on an extensiveudliterature review and fieldwork in the UK, China and Japan, BIOS proposes a radical new approach toudthese issues.