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FUTURE BRIEF: Synthetic Biology and Biodiversity Science for Environment Policy FUTURE BRIEF: Synthetic biology and biodiversity September 2016 Issue 15 Environment Science for Environment Policy This Future Brief is written and edited by the Science Synthetic biology and biodiversity Communication Unit, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol Email: [email protected] Contents To cite this publication: Science for Environment Policy (2016) Synthetic biology and bidiversity. Future Brief 15. Produced for the European 1. 1. Introduction: What is synthetic biology? 3 Commission DG Environment by the Science Communication Unit, UWE, Bristol. Available at: 2. 2. What are the applications of synthetic biology? 9 http://ec.europa.eu/science-environment-policy 2.1 Synthetic biology in Europe 12 3. What are the potential impacts of synthetic biology 13 Acknowledgements on biodiversity? We wish to thank the Dr Todd Kuiken (North Carolina State University Genetic Engineering & Society Center) for 4. Case study: new plant breeding technologies 17 his input to this report, and Dr Matthew Gentry (Swedish 5. What are the ethical issues associated with synthetic 24 University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala) for his review. Final responsibility for the content and accuracy of the report, biology? however, lies solely with the author. 6. What are the safety issues associated with synthetic 25 biology, and how can we manage them? 7. Regulatory implications 28 7.1 Research needs and areas for future development 29 8. Summary and recommendations 30 References 31 About Science for Environment Policy Images: Reproduced with permission by the relevant author or Science for Environment Policy is a free news publisher, or otherwise publicly authorised for use. and information service published by the European With thanks to the following creators: Commission’s Directorate-General Environment, (iStock) Soybean, Diane Labombarbe; Cotton plant, kristina-s; which provides the latest environmental policy- Gene editing technology, a_crotty; Sheep, Capreola; Tobacco relevant research findings. leaves, plalek; Fruits and vegetables, Fleren. Future Briefs are a feature of the service, (Flaticon) Freepik; Tomato, Roundicons; Cheese, introduced in 2011, which provide expert forecasts Madebyoliver; Mouse, Carla Gom Mejorada. of environmental policy issues on the horizon. In (Noun Project) Christopher Holm-Hansen; P J Souders; addition to Future Briefs, Science for Environment Yorlmar Campos; Cassie McKown; Icon Fair; Elliott Snyder; Policy also publishes a weekly News Alert which Tomas Knopp; parkjisun; Razlan Hanafiah; Chad Remsing; is delivered by email to subscribers and provides Arthur Shlain; last spark; NAMI A; Creative Stall. accessible summaries of key scientific studies. All infographics without sources were designed and produced http://ec.europa.eu/science-environment-policy by the Science for Environment Policy team at UWE. ISBN 978-92-79-55109-3 Keep up-to-date ISSN 2363-278X DOI 10.2779/976543 Subscribe to Science for Environment Policy’s weekly News Alert by emailing: [email protected] The contents and views included in Science for Environment Policy are based on independent research and do not necessarily Or sign up online at: reflect the position of the European Commission. http://ec.europa.eu/science-environment-policy © European Union 2016 3 Introduction What is synthetic biology? Synthetic biology is an emerging field and industry, with a growing number of applications in the pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and energy sectors. It may propose solutions to some of the greatest environmental challenges, such as climate change and scarcity of clean water, but the introduction of novel, synthetic organisms may also pose a high risk for natural ecosystems. This Future Brief outlines the benefits, risks and techniques of these new technologies, and examines some of the ethical and safety issues. Glowing plant. Source: Ow et al. (1986) Science/AAAS Vol. 234, Issue 4778: 856-859. DOI: 10.1126/science.234.4778.856 All living organisms have a genome, which contains all 10 000 years ago (Clutton-Brock, 1981; West, B.R., the information necessary for that organism’s function. 2002; Wood and Orel, 2001). Selective breeding has The genome is the complete set of genes in a cell or traditionally focused on species of wheat, rice and sheep organism. Genes contain the information needed to make for agricultural purposes, as well as domestic animals. proteins, which perform the cellular functions necessary Dogs are now the most genetically diverse species on for life. For thousands of years, humans have deliberately Earth thanks to centuries of selective breeding by humans, altered the genes of plants and animals (Beadle, G.W., beginning with the domestication of wolves (Adams, J. 1980; RSPCA, n.d.). 2008; Anthes, 2013). Selective breeding, a term first coined by Darwin After the discovery of DNA in the 1950s, scientists began in 1859, is a way of selecting for desirable traits and has to learn rapidly about the genetic basis of characteristics been practiced since pre-history, beginning approximately and soon began to isolate and manipulate the genetic SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY 4 material of organisms. Molecular biology techniques essentially allowing scientists to ‘cut and paste’ DNA. In enabled scientists to take genetic material associated with 1972, the first paper was published using this recombinant a useful trait in one organism and insert it to another, and DNA technique, reporting its application to produce thus to develop new breeds of plants and animals more transgenic bacteria (Cohen et al., 1972). The ability to quickly than before (Synthetic Biology Project, 2015). insert foreign DNA into an organism’s genome, known under the umbrella term of genetic engineering, has Building on understanding of how DNA is regulated, since enabled the production of disease-resistant crops and copied and repaired, molecular genetics advanced further bacteria that can produce the human hormone insulin. in the 1970s when restriction enzymes were discovered Techniques have continued to evolve at a rapid pace, (the scientists involved were later awarded the Nobel Prize including development of the Polymerase Chain Reaction for their efforts1). These enzymes cut DNA at a particular (PCR) in the 1980s, which can produce millions of place which can then be combined with other stretches, copies of DNA in a matter of hours. Further advances Genetic engineering. © iStock / nicolas_ in DNA synthesis and cloning technology have made it As well as molecular biology, synthetic biology interfaces much quicker and easier to construct and copy DNA. with engineering, chemistry, physics, computer science and systems biology (ERASynBio, 2013) and is focused With advances in technology and rapidly falling costs of on developing more rapid and simple methods to produce DNA sequencing and synthesis, scientists begun to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by adding or entirely new sequences of DNA, allowing them to develop removing genes, or creating genetic elements from scratch organisms with novel functions, such as producing fuels (European Commission, 2015; SCENIHR, SCCS, or pharmaceuticals. This latest development is termed SCHER, 2014). ‘synthetic biology’, a field which shares features with modern biotechnology and builds on traditional molecular Unlike traditional genetic engineering, which typically biology techniques to control the design, characterisation involves the transfer of individual genes between cells, and construction of biological parts, devices and systems synthetic biology involves the assembly of new sequences (CBD, 2015). of DNA and even entire genomes (Biotechnology Innovation Organization, 2016). The distinction between 1. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1978/press.html SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY 5 A history of genetic modification synthetic biology and traditional genetic engineering is important. Although synthetic biology builds on the techniques of classical genetic engineering, many elements are entirely novel (and thus require fresh evaluation). Synthetic biology aims to fulfill the goals of classical genetic engineering, but goes further, attempting to design life according to humanity’s needs (Engelhard, 2016). Indeed, synthetic biology involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices and systems — going far beyond the modification of existing cells by inserting or deleting small numbers of genes. Cells can be equipped with new functions and entire biological systems can be designed. Compared to traditional GMOs therefore, synthetic organisms involve much larger-scale interventions, and it is important to bear this in mind when considering and debating the new field of synthetic biology (Engelhard, 2016). Synthetic biology provides tools to better understand biological systems and can also produce valuable products, such as drugs, fuels, or raw materials for industrial processes or food. By reducing the time, cost and complexity of developing these products, the field represents opportunities for a range of industries and has been linked to future economic growth and job creation (ERASynBio, 2013). One report (McKinsey Global Institute, 2013) suggests that the field could be worth $100 billion by 2025. Although the term came to prominence in the 1970s, there remains no universally accepted definition of synthetic biology. SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY 6 BOX 1. Definitions of synthetic biology “The
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