Synthetic Biology: Learning Lessons from Nano
The field of synthetic biology is right where nanotechnology was a decade ago, says Colin Finan, adding that scientists must assess potential risks and engage the public now.
Synthetic biology, a field evolving so rapidly that no widely accepted definitions yet exist, is commonly referred to as the application of engineering principles to the fundamental components of biology. It promises to enable cheap, lifesaving new drugs and to create innovative biofuels that can help solve the world's energy problems.
But like other emerging technologies, the successful development of synthetic biology faces many challenges. In this respect, valuable lessons can be learned from another emerging area: nanotechnology, the practice of manipulating matter at the nanoscale (down to 1/100,000 the width of a human hair) to create new and unique materials and products. In 2007, there were $147 billion worth of nano-enabled products on the market. Nanoscale materials now can be found in everything from personal care products to electric car batteries.
By some estimates, synthetic biology is where nanotechnology was 10 years ago. But it is not premature for experts to think about the potential risks of synthetic biology and how they might be overcome.
An inadequate understanding of its potential risks still plagues nanotechnology. A new National Research Council (NRC) committee recently criticized the Bush administration's strategy to better understand the environmental, health, and safety risks of nanotechnology and to manage those potential risks effectively. With the global market for nano-enabled goods projected to reach $3.1 trillion by 2015, the NRC report calls for a significantly revamped national strategic plan that will minimize potential risks so that innovation will flourish and society will reap nanotechnology's benefits.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, as well as some nanotech industry representatives and congressional leaders from both parties, have been calling for some years for an improved and revamped risk research plan for nanotechnology. Poor strategic planning by the U.S. government has jeopardized investor and consumer confidence, and reduced the chances of nanotechnology leading to new jobs and new wealth.
The NRC assessment can help the Obama administration make up for lost time and guide research toward a better understanding of nanotechnology's potential risks. As the field of synthetic biology begins to grow, scientists and policymakers can learn a lesson from nanotechnology and ensure we gauge potential risks now, so that the NRC does not have to issue a similarly damning report with a different title 10 years from now.
