Est van, Q.C.

Vriend de, H.C.

Walhout, B.

English

KNAW Repository

Synthetic Biology
The Need for Public Engagement 
Drawing Lessons from the GMO Debate
Rathenau Institute, The Netherlands
Huib de Vriend & Rinie van Est
www.rathenau.nl
The Debate
Continues
• Synthetic Biology builds on
Developments in Molecular
Biology, Genomics, ICT and
Nanotechnology
• Same Social and 
Ethical Issues as GMO
•A   Paradigm Shift: 
Change from Modification 
to Construction
• New Uncertainties,
New Ambiguities, 
New Questions
• Social and Political Context
Differs from the 1970’s
Genetic Modification Context 
•E f fective Engagement of
Stakeholders and the 
Public Required
The Need for Public Engagement
ISSUE TYPE OF ISSUE
Simple Complex Uncertain Ambiguous
1. Biosafety
2. Biosecurity
3. IPR
4. Ethics
5. Governance Expert Advice Multidisciplinary Stakeholders Involve 
Expert Advice Dialogue Citizens
Social and Ethical Issues
1. Biosafety
• Risks different from GMO’s?
• Predictability versus New Uncertainties?
• New Public Perceptions of the Risk-benefit Balance?
• Present Regulation still Applicable?
2. Biosecurity 
• Threat of Abuse?
• Is Synthetic Biology ‘Garage Technology‘?
• Moore’s Law: increasing Synthesizing Capabilities 
at Lower Costs?
3. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• Patent systems: Stimulus or Hindrance?
• Open Source Approaches: a Realistic Alternative?
• Original ‘Ownership’ of Biological Material?
4. Ethics
• Machines or Living Beings?
• Moral Positions on Autonomy, Justice and Naturalness?
5. Governance and Public Engagement
• Involvement of Stakeholders and Citizens, and When? 
•E f fective Approaches to Public Engagement?
GMO
GMO+SYNBIO
GMO
GMO
SYNBIO
SYNBIO
SYNBIO

Synthetic Biology & The Need for Public Engagement - Drawing Lessons from the GMO Debate

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