ELSA of Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology has the potential to be a major driver of industrial and economic development. As with any new emerging technology, the development of synthetic biology needs to be guided by Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects (ELSA) of the field. WISB researchers are engaging with regulatory authorities, industry, academics, the wider public and other stakeholders to address this. Current ELSA research focusses on the legal framework for protecting intellectual property in synthetic biology and the role of art and design in engaging the wider community.

At WISB ELSA is about:

• Making space to consider who to respond to Entanglement
• Slowing down the pace of speculation and assumption in the field
• Connecting skillfully with people and issues form outside ‘the lab’. 

WISB supports a Research Career Development Fellow undertaking ELSA-related research.

WISB is committed to principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

The WISB ELSA Lead is Dr Nicholas Lee.

Societal issues in synthetic biology: why all the fuss about public engagement?

WISB hosted a 2-day workshop exploring how synthetic biology research is connected to the external world and how it can be opened up and shared with the public.

The workshop examined a range of philosophical, ethical, communication, interdisciplinary and societal issues in synthetic biology.

Our researchers gained an understanding of key theories and methods used in a wide variety of science communication, bioart, and speculative design projects that deal with synthetic biology and are intended to ignite thoughtful exchange and debate.

The workshop was facilitated by WISB collaborators from University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Facilitator Britt Wray had asked participants to “imagine a world in which synthetic biology has delivered significantly on its promises”, expounding the contributions of non-scientists in its development. Manish Kushwaha, a WISB Research Fellow, wrote from such an imagined future.