E-raamat: Synthetic Biology: Science, Business, and Policy

The techniques of synthetic biology have the potential to rewrite an organism's actual genetic code, allowing synthetic biology to achieve more exact bioengineering results than current genetic engineering techniques. Solomon (law, George Washington U. Law School) presents a policy framework for self-regulation of the promising new field of synthetic biology, arguing against government regulation. The book focuses on the work of National Medal of Science award winner J. Craig Venter. The volume begins with background chapters on scientific explanations of the origins of life, the chemical basis for life as revealed by molecular biology, and recent research on reading the genetic code and sequencing the human genome. The core of the book offers chapters on Venter's organizational structure and the funding of his nonprofit entities; the research progress in synthetic biology made by Venter's nonprofit team, culminating in the first synthetic cell; and projects undertaken by Venter's for-profit arm, Synthetic Genomics, Inc., especially in the biofuels area. A conclusion examines policy implications related to the safety of experiments, the risks of terrorism, and unfair monopolies. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

For nearly forty years, using recombinant DNA tools, researchers, and then businesses, have genetically engineered organisms by transferring naturally occurring genes from one organism into another. Doing so modifies the genetic code of living cells, imparting new traits and achieving desired results; this is done in the production of proteins, pharmaceuticals, and seeds. Synthetic biology, argues Solomon, could free scientists from the need to find natural genes to make such desired modifications.

Synthetic biology permits more complex and sophisticated bioengineering than what can be achieved through previous genetic modification techniques. Drawing on non-biological scientific and engineering disciplines, including information technology and nanotechnology, synthetic biology strives to rearrange an organism's genes on a far wider scale by rewriting its genetic code, the chemical instructions need to design, assemble, and operate a species. By allowing the writing of artificial genetic codes, synthetic biology can transform existing industries and spawn new ones, creating new products as well as radically reshaping existing items.

Arguing for self-regulation by the scientific and business communities, Lewis D. Solomon recommends a policy framework that would guard against governmental overregulation, which could create a barrier to innovation. Although synthetic biotechnology holds considerable social and economic potential, absent a nurturing regulatory climate, it may prove difficult to translate research discoveries into commercially viable applications.