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The Pros And Cons Of Synthetic Biology

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What is synthetic biology? What are the new ethical questions brought up by synthetic biology?
Gathering voices that were mentioned in the 2009 publication “Ethics of synthetic biology” by The European Group on ethics in Science and New Technologies to the European Commission, it becomes clear that synthetic biology is based on the breakdown of properties of living organisms into building blocks that can be arranged and modified and combined to create or design a new (synthetic) organism to fulfill certain tasks 1. One of the differences compared to classical transgenic organisms, which are usually based on altered naturally occurring genes that are introduced to a genome of naturally occurring organism, is the fact that synthetic biology can be based on the introduction of synthetic units into synthetic cells that are based on minimalistic genomes. However, drawing a line between transgenic and …show more content…

While synthetic organisms present certain characteristics that are usually linked to our understanding of life (such as “homeostatic physiological mechanisms, a nucleic acid genome and protein-based structure, and the ability to reproduce” 2), they also exhibit characteristics that are linked to machines (“modular construction, based on rational design principles, and with specific applications in mind” 2). So on what ethical and moral basis should synthetic organisms be treated? Given the fact, that we already use (transgenic) microorganisms such as bacteria and that we usually do not attribute a moral right to live to them, this could already be an answer regarding to synthetic microorganisms. Another intriguing question, that does not have a satisfying answer yet: What about a “machine” that is based on human cells, developing human-like patterns (e.g. a computer working with a “human” nervous

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Aside from the authority that results from being published in a peer-reviewed journal, Gert writes in a rather serious and academic tone to prevent the reader from taking his words too lightly. By calling attention to the fact that “we do not know that there are no risks,” Gert’s argument transcends all limitations and fosters a creeping feeling of uncertainty and fear. In some aspects, opting to argue the general possibility of negative side effects of genetic engineering rather than naming specific possibilities enhances his argument as the

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The novel ‘The Outsiders’ by S.E. Hinton is an enthralling story about the hardships and triumphs experienced by two socially different rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs. The novels title advocates the stories content, the Greasers, a gang of social outcasts and misfits. Outsiders. A theme of “The Outsiders” is, people, despite their social and financial differences, strive for the same things, enjoy the same things, share many similarities and don’t have to be enemies. Hinton expresses the connection of characters from the rival gangs through the use of literary devices as well as a detailed story line.

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Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has sparked major controversy throughout the world. Genetically Modified Organisms are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. Some nations including Japan and Australia consider GMOs unsafe and harmful to the population. In the novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, the theme of Science is developed. “I prepared myself for a multitude of reverses; my operations might be incessantly baffled, and at last my work be imperfect, yet when I considered the improvement which every day takes place in science and mechanics”(4.7).

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Soon they will move to larger genomes, and eventually to bacteria and possibly even to new genomes for larger animals and plants. It is conceivable that human beings will some day contain artificially synthesized chromosomes in their cells. Synthetic genomics may one day be one of the key spin-offs of the genomic revolution. ” (Caplan). Humans presently are setting boundaries on topics like these to avoid problems in the future.

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Biotechnology is a new wave of technologies that has emerged through scientific developments in the previous century, and this new technology offers copious new ways to change how humans live. Biotechnology creates new innovative methods to advance humanity like preventing diseases and producing more food, but also allows for progressions in unscrupulous areas like human cloning. This broad range of applications for biotechnology leads to an ethical dilemma of where to draw the line on helpful versus dangerous advancements. Moreover, the moral question about when to decide that biotechnology has gone too far is one that has been thoroughly examined by a handful of philosophers. This paper works to explain three philosopher’s views on biotechnology,

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Selective breeding in animals and agriculture are both benign and accepted practices, but still fall under the umbrella of biotechnology. Therefore, it is important before making an ethical analysis to differentiate between benign and intrusive biotechnology. That divide is where genetic engineering comes in. Genetic engineering, the “scary” type of biotechnology, is the practice of altering an organism’s DNA to give it the preferred genes. This practice has led to much good, such as making crops bug resistant, dispelling the need for harmful pesticides, or curing immune diseases, but there is also potential for harm.

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The genetic modification of an embryo is a form of in-virtro

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However, this initiation of synthetic life has some ethical considerations that must first be

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Any young adult in today’s world could provide a long list of social and environmental issues that plague humankind. Among these issues would be climate change, hunger, poverty, and social injustice. To many, these problems seem impossible to solve due to their overwhelming impacts; any small steps taken by the individual are simply not enough. However, all of these issues share a common thread, as they are all exacerbated by human population growth. The World Population Balance calculated in 2017 that if the entire world population experienced “a European standard of living - which is about half the consumption of the average American - the Earth could sustainably support only about 2 billion people” (World Population Balance, 2017).

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Stem cell research, Cloning, genetically modified, food and hormones are some of the achievements in biotechnology. The importance of this field has become very important the field may, soon, expand beyond therapy and its current limitations and in to human enhancement. With such ahead of us, I think it’s wise we ask ourselves if such enhancements are ethically and morally prudent in view of human nature. Although transhumanist are all for these modifications, they agree they have concerns for example, potential health risks, environmental impact to human

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Medical science has been intervening lately on a person’s natural process or an animal’s genes. There are a lot of procedures or enhancements for humans to use to make themselves look better or make their body better. Biogenetics engineering has also been changing animal’s genes to help humans. Biogenetics engineering is the modifications of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. New medical groups have been altering animal’s genes to combat illnesses and provide medicine for people, yet it has big risks.

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Redesigning biological parts, producing bacterial genomes and developing malarial drugs; these are all applications of synthetic biology. Although there is not an exact definition of synthetic biology, it is suggested to be the practice of combining biology and engineering, redesigning biological entities in order to produce biological systems that do not already exist in nature (BIO, 2011).The growing area of genomics allows these artificial biological systems to be produced. But with such powerful tools there are risks and ethical issues associated; such as bioterrorism, Biosecurity and the act of ‘playing God’. As synthetic Biology develops the need for companies such as Amyris, to have regulations in order to deal with ethics will increase. With our ability to now synthesise and sequence DNA, and a greater understanding of the genome, it is said that synthetic biology will be able to “heal us, feed us and fuel us” (6) Researchers are

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Human genetic engineering Human genetic engineering, the manipulation of genes in an organism intended to better an organism, is quickly becoming a controversial topic in society. As technology advances and more tests are conducted, society becomes a step closer to creating the “perfect” baby. Many possibilities have become a reality, and questions such as, “How would the practice of human genetic engineering influence diversity in society?” have been raised. To answer this, many factors and situations must be taken into consideration.

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Introduction Biotechnology is the use of biological systems or organisms to create products or perform processes that are beneficial to mankind. Broadly, this entails any form of manipulation to biological organisms and systems. Even though lab related biotechnology expanded in the late twentieth century, following the discovery of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in 1953, much older biotechnological techniques and processes had already existed. These include beer production, biological pest control and domestication of plants and animals; including selective crop farming and breeding of livestock. Following the exponential growth in the field of biotechnology many societal, ethical and legal issues have emerged.

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Is Genetic engineering Safe? Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genetic composition by artificial means, often involving the transfer of specific traits, or genes, from one organism into a plant or animal of an entirely different species. Human beings ought to consider the pros and cons of genetic engineering before using it. It is a contentious topic because people have different views of weather genetic engineering is safe or not.

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