Dual-Use in Synthetic Biology: Balancing Intellectual Freedom with Regulations on Research

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, scientific research in genetics and cellular mechanisms has led to a new approach to the study of biology—one that encourages researchers to be innovators and agents of change rather than simply observers. This burgeoning field—called synthetic biology—focuses on the creation of medical technologies and artificially engineered life by manipulating the natural order of living entities. In other words, synthetic biology is geared towards changing the existing forms of life (usually on a genetic basis) to develop insights regarding health and medicine. Although this field is producing groundbreaking discoveries, research in synthetic biology is being partially tempered by a new brand of ethics. Because synthetic biology relies on the ability to change current living entities, it inevitably raises ethical concerns regarding the potential consequences of engineered life.

Common ethical dilemmas surrounding synthetic biology include the idea of "playing God" when manipulating life or using a reductionist perspective to lower the "dignity" of life so as to treat genetic information as a mere toolkit (Heavey, 2013). The strongest ethical concern deals with the possibility of adversely impacting human health, degrading the environment, or facilitating the practice of bioterrorism. These potential misapplications of synthetic biology are collectively referred to as dual-use research of concern (DURC) (Cho & Relman, 2010; Edwards, 2014). Especially due to the horrific attack during 9/11 and the subsequent rise in the potential for bioterrorism, dual-use has become an increasingly important ethical issue in determining when to permit synthetic biology research. However, in the process of conducting ethical examinations of research, we must ensure that the rights of scientists and research institutions are not infringed upon. Furthermore, we must consider the potential benefits of synthetic biology research in the face of possible harms due to dual-use. In this paper, I assert that synthetic biology research should be treated largely with a policy of openness and acceptance—but at the same time, should be subject to reasonable regulations and ethical examinations by appropriate governing bodies. This practice will allow synthetic biology to flourish while also regulating the research to prevent dual use harms.