Synthetic biology - the next phase of biotechnology and genetic engineering. TAB-Fokus

Scientific and technological progress allows to genetically redesign natural organisms in ever more profound ways (synbio in the broader sense). In the long term, the aim is to create artificial biological systems (synbio in the narrow sense). Application areas are chemical and energy production, environmental protection as well as the medical sector. Considering the current, early state of research and development, it is impossible to forecast reliably which approaches of synbio will prevail against procedures that make use of the available biological diversity or that are limited to more subtle interventions. Risk assessment and the evaluation of substantially modified organisms will require the development and exploration of new methods and procedures. Opportunities for different societal groups to participate in the responsible development of synbio are ranging from stakeholder involvement in setting research agendas to DIY biology. Dealing with intellectual property within the framework of an increasingly digital economy will also represent a major challenge for the future use of synbio

Synthetische Biologie - die nächste Stufe der Bio- und Gentechnologie. TAB-Fokus

Wissenschaftliche und technologische Fortschritte ermöglichen einen zunehmend tiefer greifenden genetischen Umbau natürlicher Organismen (Synbio i. w. S.), perspektivisch wird die Schaffung künstlicher biologischer Systeme (Synbio i. e. S.) anvisiert. Anwendungsbereiche liegen in der Chemie- und Energieproduktion, in der Medizin und im Umweltschutz. Welche Ansätze der Synbio sich durchsetzen werden gegenüber Verfahren, die die vorhandene biologische Vielfalt nutzen oder sich auf subtile Eingriffe beschränken, ist beim heutigen Stand von Forschung und Entwicklung nicht verlässlich prognostizierbar. Für die Risikoabschätzung und -bewertung substanziell veränderter Organismen müssen neue Methoden und Verfahren entwickelt und erprobt werden. Die Partizipationsmöglichkeiten der Gesellschaft an einer verantwortungsvollen Weiterentwicklung der Synbio reichen von einer Stakeholderbeteiligung an der Forschungsprogrammatik bis zur DIY-Biologie. Der Umgang mit geistigem Eigentum unter den Bedingungen einer zunehmend digitalen Ökonomie stellt eine der zentralen Zukunftsherausforderungen auch für die Nutzung der Synbio dar

Organisms in experimental research

Rachel A. Ankeny and Sabina Leonell

Perspektiven der Biotechnologie

A technometric approach based on the compilation of national technical specifications of processes and products was applied for an international comparison of technological positions in two subfields of biotechnology: medical diagnostics by means of monoclonal antibodies and DNA probes; biotechnology of wastewater and drinking water treatment. Countries under review were Japan, USA and West-Germany. The leading position in the development of DNA probe diagnostics is occupied by the USA, Japan and Germany are lagging behind considerably. Technical standards of immunoassays are rather high in all three countries. New developments in this field like recombinant antibody technology are pursued most intensely in the USA. In wastewater technology Germany is performing well with respect to anaerobic treatment and nitrogen removal. Biological phosphorus removal and biodegradation of hazardous waste on the other side are most advanced in the USA and in case of phosphorus removal also in Japan. It is concluded that national environmental policy should be based not just on national technical know-how but on the latest international technological standard which can be assesed for example by technometric analysis

Umweltbioverfahrenstechnik - Deutschland im internationalen Vergleich

The performance of Germany in bioprocess-based environmental technology was compared with Japan and the USA using science and technology indicators. The overall picture shows a rather high technical level in all three countries. In wastewater treatment technology Germany holds a strong position with respect to anaerobic treatment and nitrogen removal, which is comparable to Japan, while the performance in phosphorus elimination is lacking behind the USA. In case of bioremediation, the USA are clearly dominating Germany and Japan

Technometrische Analyse des internationalen Leistungsstandes in Teilbereichen der Biotechnologie

A technometric approach based on the compilation of national technical specifications of processes and products was applied for an international comparison of technological positions in two subfields of biotechnology: medical diagnostics by means of monoclonal antibodies and DNA probes; biotechnology of wastewater and drinking water treatment. Countries under review were Japan, USA and West-Germany. The leading position in the development of DNA probe diagnostics is occupied by the USA, Japan and Germany are lagging behind considerably. Technical standards of immunoassays are rather high in all three countries. New developments in this field like recombinant antibody technology are pursued most intensely in the USA. In wastewater technology Germany is performing well with respect to anaerobic treatment and nitrogen removal. Biological phosphorus removal and biodegradation of hazardous waste on the other side are most advanced in the USA and in case of phosphorus removal also in Japan. It is concluded that national environmental policy should be based not just on national technical know-how but on the latest international technological standard which can be assesed for example by technometric analysis