Synthetic Biology in the Real World: Taking the Big View Learning from Others Preparing for the Inevitable UCSF- SynBerc 1/18/12 Margaret S. Race, Ph.D. SETI Institute, Mountain View CA

Perspectives of a Natural Biologist? Ecologist: Technology Issues (EIS’s & nuclear and fossil fuel power plants) Technology & Environmental Change (TRR & mudsnails; Man Made Wetlands) Genetic Engineering - UCB (EIS’s, scientific uncertainty, & public concern) NASA and Astrobiology (EIS’s and Mars Sample Return) Interest in Synthetic Biology for several reasons-- Research on 1) Impediments to Missions (within & beyond science/tech community) 2) Emerging Technologies, Decision Making, Risk Communication & the Public 3) BSL-4 labs, biocontainment and public response 4) Space Synthetic Biology Workshop-- Ethical and Societal Issues What Can I share? Recognize A Broader Framework for science beyond the lab

Shaping the Science-Industry-Policy Interface in Synthetic Biology S. Gaisser and T. Reiss, Syst Synth Biol (2009) 3: Gaiser & Reiss identified Roadblocks = – Conflicting attitudes to intellectual property – Different expectations re: Benefits of collaboration – Different time frame wrt time horizon – Built on mainly Disciplinary Approaches – Similar to Genetic Engineering but Need focus on Standardization – But also new concerns about unforseen or dangerous functions Security Public perception Suggested NEED for: – Framework = ”Triple Helix” of Science-Industry-Policy – ID and Define Common Goals (standardization, organize, report, share, registries, patents, international consistency, licenses etc. – Security/screening (prevent misuse) – Public Communication

My View of their "Triple Helix" Collaborative Framework to Help Demonstrate Proof of Synbio Science Industry Socioeconomic Issues Standardization Intellectual Property Public Perception Openness and Dialogue Science- Industry Relations Government Government as Moderator in Dialogue between Industry and Science

Science Industry Socioeconomic Issues Standardization Intellectual Property Public Perception Openness and Dialogue Science- Industry Relations Government So…How’s it working?

AquaBounty's genetically modified salmon is seen swimming behind a much smaller wild Atlantic salmon of the same age. AquaBounty has been trying to get government approval to sell its salmon for more than a decade. Policy & Review Process for Genetic Engineering still isn't certain Biotech Firms Caught In Regulatory No Man's Land by JOE PALCA NPR, Jan. 5, 2012

Roses are Red, Roses are Bluish Science 7 October 2011: vol. 334 no "A 25 year struggle to sell genetically- engineered ‘blue’ roses in the US took a big step forward…"

Lessons/Issues for SynBio? Scientists comfortable with Synbio, but infrastructure is not ready More than just a dialogue between Scientists & Industry with Government as Moderator Need Frame the Picture Bigger – Like for Astrobiology (Mars Sample Return ) Identify Impediments to Progress/Adoption Society is not ‘outside’ of Triple Helix Engage the Public– (not just one way communication) Public Perceptions do not Equal Ignorance or Misperceptions Risk Assessment – How ID, Measure, Weigh, Benefits and Pitfalls of Technoscience? What is Public Benefit? What are Costs? (short and long term?) Need Gain Support and Engagement of Civic Stakeholders No Such thing as Societal Informed Consent--Scientists/Industry feel they ‘do good work’; are ‘ethical’; (focus behond 'now'---Public raise other questions) Need Consider primary, indirect, cumulative impacts– not just benefits acknowledge lack of science certainty….or even data); Reversibility?

Consider Framing the Story as Science in the Real World Context: Context: Science In The News Science In The News Will Hear About It In Media, Not Just Textbooks Will Hear About It In Media, Not Just Textbooks Controversy And Debate Likely To Continue Controversy And Debate Likely To Continue Many Different Perspectives Many Different Perspectives Different types of science data and info needed Different types of science data and info needed Need To Distinguish Need To Distinguish Basic Science Facts (Uncertainties; Data Interpretation) Basic Science Facts (Uncertainties; Data Interpretation) Vs. Applied Science, Decision Making Vs. Applied Science, Decision Making Vs. Societal Implications (Short And Long Term) Vs. Societal Implications (Short And Long Term)

Like Issues with Climate Change: The Big Picture Scientists involved in many aspects IIIIIIIV Basic Science: Observe Patterns Research Collect Data Interpret Results Implications? Next Steps: Cause/Effect Extrapolate Models Complexity Solutions? New Problems? Understanding Addressing

Where Do Sciences & Scientists Fit? (don't just focus on near term-- getting things to market etc.) IIIIIIIV Basic Science: Observe Patterns Research Collect Data Interpret Results Implications? Next Steps: Cause/Effect Extrapolate Models Complexity (issues with scale up-- new questions) Solutions? large scale uses; product 'life cycles' and end of use? (what does that mean with a replicating 'solution'?) New Problems? (caused by implementation or applications intended to solve other problems) *** if emerging technologies are used as 'solutions', what are the scientific, technical, societal, environmenta,l economic and other implications if new problems arise? How does this fit into the decision making process?