Engineering Life: The emerging field of synthetic biology

Synthetic biology is a new and rapidly developing area of research that is yet to be properly defined. This is due to its high degree of versatility in the approaches applied and the interdisciplinary nature of the science and engineering upon which it is based. In its most general terms synthetic biology aims to design and construct new biological parts or systems and redesign existing ones to carry out novel tasks.

Potential applications of the field are diverse with scientists speculating that the technology will offer societal, environmental and medical benefits. But the promise of synthetic biology and its potential applications have ethical implications, and brings into question whether current regulation allows scientific and technical development whilst reducing potential risks.

The technology is spreading fast, attracting the attention of researchers in a wide range of disciplines from physics, chemistry and the biological sciences. There is therefore a need to dramatically expand education, training and research capacity to provide a skilled workforce in the UK.

A joint policy seminar held by the RSC, Institute of Physics and Institute of Biology, provided an opportunity to discuss the application, current research capacity and support for synthetic biology, as well as social and ethical implications.