An Exploration of Attitudes and Opinions on Synthetic Biology Policy and Governance Needs
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ABSTRACT NDOH, CHRISTINA E. Does Technology or Expertise Matter? An Exploration of Attitudes and Opinions on Synthetic Biology Policy and Governance Needs. (Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Kuzma). This dissertation explores risk perceptions of synthetic biology from expert groups through elicited feedback on risk analysis and governance needs. Because synthetic biology (SB) is an emerging technology field, uncertainty around human health and environmental effects of the technologies exist. To better characterize potential human health and environmental effects and weigh potential governance strategies, expert feedback was elicited through policy Delphi study methods. These expert opinions and stated needs for risk analysis and governance were collected using upstream oversight assessment, then compared using theories of risk perception. Mixed-method analysis of the data were conducted to look for cultural cognition and psychometric influences, and for trends within and between ‘disciplinary culture’ groups. This work comprises four studies that vary either the disciplinary group or technology application to see which factors influence risk perceptions of SB applications. The first article explores the regulatory regime for a specific SB case study, comparing expert perceptions of risk analysis and governance needs for the technological application to the existing regulatory framework; the second article explores ‘disciplines as cultures’, holding the SB constant to look for the varying risk perceptions, and then governance and policy needs, stated by disciplinary groups; the third looks at elicited expert opinions of four SB applications from a multidisciplinary group; and the fourth looks at concept mapping from two groups, SB experts and non-experts, who share common expertise on environmental justice. The area of expertise is viewed as each group’s cultural cognition, and varying attitudes and perceptions of risk and governance needs are explored. © Copyright 2015 Christina E. Ndoh All Rights Reserved Does Technology or Expertise Matter? An Exploration of Attitudes and Opinions on Synthetic Biology Policy and Governance Needs by Christina E. Ndoh A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Administration Raleigh, North Carolina 2015 APPROVED BY: ________________________________ Jennifer Kuzma, PhD Committee Chair ________________________________ ________________________________ Jerrell Coggburn, PhD Richard Clerkin, PhD ________________________________ ________________________________ Jason Delborne, PhD Stacey Nelson, PhD DEDICATION First and foremost, this work is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It took many nights of prayer and guidance to complete this work, and I know that all blessings come from you. This work is also dedicated to my family- Uduak, you are simply the best husband that a woman could want. You’ve done any, and everything, in your power to make this goal achievable for me. I love you and thank you. Nsikan and Aniekan, my two sweet children-Thank you for your patience as mommy got this work done. I love you both so much, and hope that this inspires you both to do great things. Mom, Joe, and Dad, thank you so much. You have been cheering me on since I was a little girl, and always pushed me to keep going. Thank you for all that you’ve done to support me while I competed this program. Mom, thank you for all your love and support, and for being a constant example of a loving, caring mother. To my father-in-law, the first Dr. Ndoh, I thank you for all your love and support. Finally, to each of my siblings, Jr., Lynn, Joyce and Jason. I love you guys- each of you make my life better, and I’m thankful that we’re family. This work is for all of you, and the entire family. ii BIOGRAPHY Christina was born and raised in the small, but eclectic, town of Hillsborough, NC. She has always been a North Carolina girl, living in Greensboro, Charlotte, Hillsborough and lastly Durham. Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering that she earned from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After practicing engineering for several years, she spent several years at home as a full-time mother. Prior to returning to the workforce, she earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration, with a focus on environmental policy from North Carolina State University. Christina has worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an environmental engineer for the last six years in the Office of Air and Radiation. There she leads regulatory developments for stationary sources of air pollution. Christina’s research interests include the governance of emerging technologies, risk assessment characterization and inclusion of marginalized communities in governance needs assessments. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to first acknowledge the support and encouragement of Elizabethann (Liz) O’Sullivan. As the former chair of Public Administration and my former committee co-chair, she provided support and guidance during the beginning of my doctoral studies. I will forever remember conversations with Liz and her insights on the things that are important in this life. I also wish to acknowledge the Sloan SynBio team. This team was my first ‘academic family’ and I will forever be grateful for their contributions, ideas and support. Ronni, Sharon, Christopher and Jennifer, you all are a great group. I have appreciated our times together more than you’ll ever know, and look forward to continued work and friendship with each of you. I want to thank my support team at the EPA. Anyone who has attempted to complete a PhD while working full-time knows that support at the workplace is critical. Keith, thank you for your outstanding support and commitment in allowing me to balance work and school in a way that made both possible. Kaye and Rochelle, you two have supported me in so many ways, and I am a truly thankful for your friendship and laughter. I want to acknowledge the contributions of all of my committee members. Jennifer, Jerrell, Stacy, Rich and Jason, your ideas for improving this work and for bettering me as a scholar are greatly appreciated. Lastly, I wish to acknowledge the support and assistance from my advisor and committee chair. Jennifer, you immediately pulled me into the fold without hesitation, and have been a constant supporter ever since. You have been the single greatest influence in my doctoral program, and I am so thankful that I’ve had the pleasure to work with you. Your commitment to your work and your students is truly inspiring. I am lucky to have such a wonderful mentor and teacher. Thank you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... viii! LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... ix! LIST OF ACRONYMNS & ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ x! Chapter 1: Introduction to Attitudes on Risk and Governance Needs of Emerging Technologies: Case Studies in Synthetic Biology ................................................................. 1! Governance Models .............................................................................................................. 2! Governing Emerging Technologies ...................................................................................... 5! Risk Perception Theories and Incorporation ..................................................................... 7! Dissertation Research Focus ............................................................................................. 9! Abstract for Article 1: Expert opinions of Governance and Risk Assessment Needs for Genetically Modified Mesorhizobium loti for nitrogen fixation in cereal crops ............ 12! Abstract for Article 2: Exploring ‘Expert Cultures’ for Assessing a Synthetic Biology Technology ..................................................................................................................... 13! Abstract for Article 3: Psychometric Influences on Synthetic Biology Governance needs for varying Technological Applications ......................................................................... 15! Abstract for Article 4: Early Inclusion of Environmental Justice Communities in Synthetic Biology Governance Discussions ................................................................... 16! Chapter 2 (Article 1): Synthetic Biology Case Study- Expert opinions of Governance and Risk Assessment Needs for Genetically Modified Mesorhizobium loti for nitrogen fixation in cereal crops .......................................................................................................... 18! Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 20! Case Study: Genetically Modified M. Loti ..................................................................... 20! Upstream Oversight Assessment .................................................................................... 23! Regulatory Approaches for Biotechnology in the US .................................................... 25! Biotechnology Regulation by the EPA under TSCA ...................................................... 27! Methodology ......................................................................................................................