The ethical approach focuses on the openness issue: the paradigms of exclusivity and attributions, its relation to the intellectual property (IP) system; the democratic and modular nature of SB; advancement and its implications concerning security.

Openness. Individuals can contribute to a common source of knowledge that is accessible for everyone and can benefit the community
Inclusivity. Discourse ethics defends a morality of equal respect and solidaristic responsibility

Exclusiveness and the IP conflict. The patent system is based in the principle that incentives are needed to have more creations and progress. SB involves biotechnology and software, opposite sciences concerning IP (the first one with patents, the second one with openness); therefore suggesting difficulties on the definition of Intellectual property for SB.

Progress. Progress is reached by advancements, but advancements not necessarily result in progress. Exclusiveness creates advancements, but do they create progress? Is the actual system (exclusiveness) democratic?

Democracy. Dialogue and participation are essential for SB, both to prevent harm and to ensure science is matter of every person (since it affects everyone equally).

From an Economic point of view, we discuss some of the effects that SB could cause, mainly in the context of developing economies and agriculture. SB could tend to increase the risk of displacement of individuals employed in the agricultural sector. Some of the Latin American economies could be at risk of being affected by the advancements of SB.

Biotechnology Industry. The advancements in scientific techniques, such as genetic manipulation has lead to advancements that have affected the existing economies.

The arrival of Synthetic Biology. New technologies impact population, economic sectors, and industries. SB could have a great impact, both positive or negative, depending crucially on how the particular government of a country reacts to SB’s arrival.

The Legal analysis focuses on the persistent need for an effective regulation of SB at international, regional and local level. The main legal aspects concerning SB regard the application of the IPR system, the effects of the possible application of contractual provisions as an alternative to IPR, and the issues concerning safety and security.

Law for Synthetic Biology. The limits of IP could mine SB’s development. So, what kind of property regime would best suit SB: patents, copyrights or trademarks? It is also important to have in mind that an excess of property claims in science would make impossible for other people to use it.

Security risks and Bioterrorism. SB might provide “non-experts” with easier tools that could be used for negative purposes. Lowering the complexity of a science means also making it accessible to perpetrators with motivations distant from science. This is why awareness must be ensured, the strategy of diffusion must be enhanced.

Involuntary Effects of Synthetic Biology. Not every negative consequence from SB is intentional. Biocontainment is an effective alternative to prevent undesired repercussions of SB on the environment.

The diffusion of SB is an important element of Human Practices. We applied it firstly by contacting local farmers and stakeholders from the agricultural sector in order to learn about their positions, targeting their main necessities, as well as knowing how would our project be perceived.

Synthetic Biology: A look through the Lens of Latin America

The second part of diffusion in our project is a document where you can see on detail the analysis made by our team in the Ethical, Economical and Legal aspects of Synthetic Biology in Latin America. We analyzed the above mentioned problems, in order to propose possible solutions that aim to be incorporated at regulamentary level. Our guidelines can be employed by companies, associations and governments to develop provisions regulating quality, management of bioparts, safety, as well as reconcile the main economic, ethical and legal issues surrounding SB.

You can see our Guidelines in this preview.