Pros And Cons Of Synthetic Biologists

In essence, synthetic biology is the use of molecular methods to reconstruct DNA to perform new functions (Davidson). Synthetic biologists insert, delete, and manipulate genes for the desired function and improvement of natural producers; the goal is usually to make the organism faster and more efficient. According to Dr. Venter, infamous synthetic biologist, if the edited cells "boot up" correctly they will have "10,000 applications" which provides a basic template for scientists to add and test new functions. There is much synthetic biologists will be able to do. The alteration of genes and life, though proven to be beneficial, come with much ethical controversy. Despite potential risks, synthetic biology is capable of greatly benefiting

Synthetic biology has the potential to replace fossil fuels with biofuel technology. So far, microbes have been engineered to create fuels such as butanol and biodiesel to replace petroleum; similarly, microbes and algae are also being modified to produce fuels directly from carbon dioxide and sunlight which would result in reduced carbon emissions (Venter). Not to mention, since industries wouldn’t dig into the earth for fossil fuels anymore, oil spills would be greatly reduced. Venter sees a future organism that, through the use of sunlight, can make clean hydrogen energy and one that could create ethanol to be used as car fuel from the cellulose in plants. This will only be able to happen through the use of synthetic biology. Additionally, synthetic biology could be used to detect and remove environmental contaminants. There is potential for a type of bacteria that could essentially “eat” the oil from oil spills. On the same wavelength there is chance for a pollutant eating bacteria (Gibbs). Potential that will be

Clearly both early ideas appear to be heavily nonsensical; however, once further explained one can find room for understanding. As for the “use of evil” there are those who fear that terrorist groups could use the ability to alter genes for bioterrorism because microorganisms can be reconstructed to have devastating effects on humans (Summers). To prove this point polio researcher Eckard Wimmer and coworkers created new strands of the poliovirus using DNA strands ordered from the Internet (Regalado). Although a feat there is already a ceaseless list of diseases that already exist in nature now that synthetic biology would easily cure. Not to mention the government is already drafting guidelines and regulations for this new field (Hezrog). In regards to the Frankenstein defense, it is merely a cop-out to stir fear and unease in the people. Scientists “acting like god” is claimed at nearly every scientific advancement and isn’t worth debating. Lastly, and most logically, is the legitimate fear that the synthetic organism will end up swapping DNA with other living organisms (Gibbs). Bioethicist Thomas Murray confirms that "We have a ways to go before we can really know what risks we're running if we release these organisms into the environment."