In order to enhance the team's awareness of biosafety in synthetic biology and their understanding of relevant legal policies, team members actively participated in the 11th Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC) held in July.
During the conference, they had the opportunity to attend a lecture on biosafety policy delivered by Professor Zhang Weiwen from Tianjin University.
Detail of the event
In order to enhance team members' awareness of biosafety in synthetic biology, comprehend relevant legal policies, and further improve their understanding of potential biosafety risks in our project, several team members attended the 11th Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCIC) held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province in July. During the CCiC conference, Professor Zhang Weiwen from Tianjin University was invited to deliver a theoretical lecture on biosafety policy for synthetic biotechnology. In this lecture, Professor Zhang emphasized that the rapid advancement of biotechnology has brought unprecedented opportunities while also highlighting the escalating risks associated with biosafety. With advancements in synthetic biology and artificial intelligence technologies, regulatory challenges have intensified, making biosafety a global focal point of concern. As a prominent scientific power, China not only needs to benefit from progressions in biotechnology but also must shoulder significant responsibilities in enhancing research accountability, participating in international policy formulation, and strengthening domestic regulation. Faced with future challenges countries must enhance collaboration; improve the governance system for biosafety; raise public awareness; and jointly promote sustainable development.
Following the lecture, all team members expressed their profound appreciation for its significant contribution to our comprehension of safety concerns in synthetic biology and the heightened awareness it instilled regarding scientists' moral obligations. We are now even more dedicated to prioritizing the incorporation of safety switches into our projects to ensure their environmental benignity. Moreover, team members with legal expertise meticulously examined the pertinent documents referenced by Professor Zhang, including the "Tianjin Guidelines for Biosafety Practices for Scientists," the "Regulations on Safety Management of Biotechnology Research and Development," and the "Convention on Biological Diversity," which provide a robust legal framework for addressing safety issues pertaining to our project. Additionally, we have prepared a separate record summarizing the deliberations from this meeting as follows.
Safety Lecture
With the rapid advancement of science and technology, particularly in the field of synthetic biology, biotechnology has achieved remarkable accomplishments in recent years. From gene editing to the development of new biological agents, these technologies undoubtedly present unprecedented opportunities for the development of human society. However, alongside these advancements, biosafety issues have increasingly emerged as significant challenges that we must confront. Through Professor Zhang Weiwen's lecture, we gained a profound understanding of the following points:
1.Breakthroughs and Risks in Biotechnology
Biotechnology provides us with unparalleled capabilities to modify or even create life, especially through the advancements made in synthetic biology. However, this enhancement also brings forth inherent risks. The incident involving experts from the University of Basel in Switzerland synthesizing the SARS virus and opioids not only demonstrates the immense power of technology but also exposes inadequacies within traditional regulatory mechanisms. Traditional biosafety controls primarily focus on regulating materials and chemicals; however, for new biotechnologies—especially those difficult for average individuals to directly access—the challenges associated with regulation have significantly increased.
2.The double-edged sword effect of Artificial Intelligence technology
On one hand, Artificial Intelligence can significantly improve the efficiency of biotechnological research and expedite scientific discoveries. On the other hand, the integration of Artificial Intelligence technology has heightened concerns regarding biosafety. Technological advancements have made it easier to misuse and apply biotechnology maliciously. With access to vast language models, researchers can now effortlessly acquire knowledge.
3.International Attention and Policy Responses to Biosafety
Biosafety concerns have garnered extensive attention from the international community. Since 2014, biosafety has been included in national-level discussions by international organizations such as the United Nations. Particularly following the pandemic, biosafety has emerged as a global focal point. Governments worldwide have implemented pertinent policies to strengthen the regulation and oversight of biotechnology. For instance, in a 2022 report, the U.S. government even prioritized biosafety challenges over nuclear safety, underscoring the significance attributed to biosafety issues.
4. China's Role and Responsibility
As one of the world's leading scientific powers, China has made significant strides in biotechnology. However, when faced with biosafety challenges, China bears substantial responsibility. Firstly, Chinese scientists must conduct research with greater accountability to ensure the safety and reliability of their findings. Secondly, China should actively participate in formulating and implementing international biosafety policies to promote global improvement of the biosafety governance system. Lastly, China needs to strengthen regulation and oversight of domestic biotechnology to prevent misuse and malicious applications.
5. Conclusion and Outlook
The development of biotechnology presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges for humanity. In addressing biosafety challenges, it is imperative to strengthen international cooperation and policy coordination to promote the enhancement of the global biosafety governance system. Additionally, we must enhance the regulation and oversight of biotechnology to ensure its safety and reliability. Only by doing so can we fully harness the potential of biotechnology and make significant contributions to the development of human society. Looking ahead, as biotechnology continues to evolve, we will encounter even more challenges and opportunities. Therefore, it is essential that we continuously monitor the dynamics of biosafety issues, intensify research efforts, and explore innovative solutions. Moreover, there is a need to improve public awareness and education regarding biosafety in order to foster greater recognition among the general public on these crucial matters. Only through collaborative efforts can we effectively address biosafety challenges and promote sustainable development in human society.
Classification of Safety Issues
1.Risks of Accessibility: The ease of accessing cutting-edge biotechnologies may serve as an initial step towards the potential misuse or abuse of biotechnology, encompassing the acquisition and utilization of essential hardware, software, and information.
2.Risks Associated with Novel Biotechnological Preparations: Dual-use biotechnologies can facilitate the identification or development of novel biological agents or toxins, as well as support studies involving pathogenic viruses through "functional gain."
3.Knowledge-related Risks: Research outcomes could be exploited to target systemic vulnerabilities within existing knowledge frameworks.
4.Key Focus Areas: Technologies for advancing biological or molecular diversity, targeted design technologies, technologies for manipulating biological systems, and production, packaging, or delivery technologies.