Mapping the emerging field of genome editing

Targeted genetic modification (TagMo) technologies are being used for new approaches to genetic engineering often called 'genome editing'. These approaches are in the early stages of development, and basic understandings of what TagMo is, of its likely future, and how it should be governed are still being established. In order to inform these discussions and increase their transparency, we map the scientific landscape of TagMo using advances in tech mining and bibliometrics and in consultation with experts in the field. We assess the sub-topics and disciplines associated with TagMo research, and the actors, institutions, and nations involved, while making observations about the funding of research and the collaborative patterns among actors. The technology assessment approach used in this article has important implications for anticipatory governance of TagMo plant products. It is designed to help scientists, managers, and policy-makers understand trends in TagMo technological development in order to prepare for future governance. © 2013 © 2013 Taylor & Francis

Identifying key developments, issues and questions relating to techniques of genome editing with engineered nucleases.

This paper discusses scientific, ethical and governance aspects of genome editing with engineered nucleases. First, the scientific state of the art for three major genome editing techniques and their current applications in humans, animals and plants are discussed. Ethical concepts and issues arising from these technologies are then identified. The next section raises considerations pertaining to governance of genome editing. Finally, questions for the Council to consider are raised

Identifying key developments, issues and questions relating to techniques of genome editing with engineered nucleases.

This paper discusses scientific, ethical and governance aspects of genome editing with engineered nucleases. First, the scientific state of the art for three major genome editing techniques and their current applications in humans, animals and plants are discussed. Ethical concepts and issues arising from these technologies are then identified. The next section raises considerations pertaining to governance of genome editing. Finally, questions for the Council to consider are raised

The Regulatory Status of Genome-edited Crops

Genome editing with engineered nucleases (GEEN) represents a highly specific and efficient tool for crop improvement with the potential to rapidly generate useful novel phenotypes/traits. Genome editing techniques initiate specifically targeted double strand breaks facilitating DNA-repair pathways that lead to base additions or deletions by non-homologous end joining as well as targeted gene replacements or transgene insertions involving homology-directed repair mechanisms. Many of these techniques and the ancillary processes they employ generate phenotypic variation that is indistinguishable from that obtained through natural means or conventional mutagenesis; and therefore, they do not readily fit current definitions of genetically engineered or genetically modified used within most regulatory regimes. Addressing ambiguities regarding the regulatory status of genome editing techniques is critical to their application for development of economically useful crop traits. Continued regulatory focus on the process used, rather than the nature of the novel phenotype developed, results in confusion on the part of regulators, product developers, and the public alike and creates uncertainty as of the use of genome engineering tools for crop improvement

A Comparative Analysis of Variations in Synthetic Biology Regulation.

Synthetic biology is an emerging technology with the potential to offer significant scientific developments to various fields such as with pharmaceutical development. Despite such promise, it has uncertain potential risks that may yield lasting and consequential damage to humans, animals, and the environment. In order to address such risks, national governments may utilize regulatory instruments to capture the process of synthetic biology development. However, where synthetic biology remains an uncertain technology with limited experimental testing, the regulation and governance of synthetic biology may vary from one government to another. This dissertation seeks to explain why such variations in the regulation of synthetic biology arise across various governments. Focusing on the specific cases of the United States, Singapore, and the European Union, these variations are hypothesized to be caused by elements of risk culture, or the political and institutional factors that influence local regulatory decision making. This hypothesis is tested via a literature analysis and an assessment of subject expert interviews from each case via qualitative discourse analysis. More specifically, findings from this dissertation indicate that of these factors, historical path dependency of the regulation of genetically modified organisms and similar biotechnologies has the strongest effect with respect to influencing variations of regulation for synthetic biology.PHDHealth Services Organization & PolicyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135739/1/bdtrump_1.pd