Team:Toulouse France/HP/Silver
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Why we deserve Silver Medal
HUMAN PRACTICES :
For us, the part Human Practices is an integral part of our project. It allowed us to ask us numerous questions outside laboratory manipulations. In fact, it’s necessary to consider questions about the influence of our project in the world. So, we have thought important issues relating the place of : women in the science, general ethics and about our project, safety, security, social justice, communication with general public and collaborations.
WOMEN IN SCIENCE :
This year, we are 8 girls by chance to compose the 2016 IGEM Toulouse team. This happy coincidence has led to think about the position of women in science. In fact, numerous women have mark the history by their incredible discoveries showing the legitimacy of our place and giving hope for the other women. It was important for us to support and to represent women in science with the hope that equality will be born in our discipline. Photo Marie Curie https://2016.igem.org/File:Toulouse_France_mariecurie2.jpg
GENERAL ETHICS :
The synthetic biology was born recently and provokes a big step in the scientist world. It consists to modify the living and create genetically modified organisms (GMO). The technological advances are enormous but they should be reflected because effects are not really evaluated in any case : for the Genetically Modified Plant (GMP), Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMM) or Genetically Modified Animals (GMA). We have to become aware about the possible impact of our manipulations for the environment, the human, animal and plant health. For that, we have contacted eminent experts to talk about this problematic. For example, we have discussed with Vincent Gregoire Delory philosophy professor working about the living. He has helped us to reflect about different subtle questions about the living and also about our project as the connection between art and science. Photo GMA : https://2016.igem.org/File:Toulouse_France_gma.jpg
ETHICS OUR PROJECT :
Our project is very interesting for us in terms of the connexion between the art and science. But it has leaded us to ask different questions about the role of the synthetic biology in art. We have known, at the beginning, it is essential to save the Lascaux cave belonging to the World Heritage of UNESCO and containing an artistic treasure for the Humanity. But different questions have surfaced: why save art? It is destined to disappear? Why Human need art? Moreover, the Lascaux cave is a particular piece of art, because is alive: it contain a very complex and dynamic ecosystem. We think synthetic biology can be a solution to regulate this disturbed ecosystem. Thus, the Lascaux cave is an alive work of art, it deserves to protected. It carries a memory of the Palaeolithic man. Photo de la grotto de Lascaux : https://2016.igem.org/File:Toulouse_France_lascauxX.jpg
COMMUNICATION WITH GENERAL PUBLIC AND COLLABORATIONS:
Moreover, we have become aware about the fear of GMOs by the general public. We think this fear come from unknowing of the GMO. For us, it is necessary to explain to the public what is a GMO? How create a GMO? What are advantages and incommodes of this new technology? So, it is the scientist role to explain these points to the general public. For that, we have set up a theatre piece with a dialogue between a person in favour of the utilisation of GMO and another against that. We have exposed the definition, concepts and the legislation concerning GMO. We think it is by the explanation of the definition, problem, advantages and risks concerning GMO that we can convince the innocence of GMO and the guilt of the thoughtlessly utilisation. Pourrais je avoir une photo de la piece de theatre pr ici? Moreover, we think is interesting to sensitize children about the science. In fact, we performed various interventions. First, we intervened at the Toulouse Museum of Natural History for a day dedicated to bacterial diversity. Many activities (access to a microscope, recipe distribution to achieve the culture medium, colouring workshop of a bacterium for the youngest, etc.) were offered to support our explanations. The goal was to explain that microorganisms are very numerous, very different, suited to all types of environment and they are not all pathogens, explain the principle of intestinal microbiota, and show the importance of hand washing and eating balance. We have also intervened in Exposciences and “La nuit des chercheurs” in Toulouse with the same goal. These experiments were very formative for us because they have allowed to know the public opinion about our discipline and GMO and to discuss with very various people about our project. Photo stand exposciences: https://2016.igem.org/File:Toulouse_France_Toulouseexposciences.jpg Finally, we have also created videos to show experiences (for example: PCR) in different languages. These videos should be allowed to realize these manipulations for everyone. We have decided to collaborate with other IGEM teams in the world to obtain subtitles in different language, to stay in the spirit of IGEM competition and to touch a maximum of person.
SAFETY:
Considering, we have not sure of the GMO danger for the environment and the health, it’s necessary to take precautionary measures. In fact, in laboratory we have set up maximum action to stop the biodissemination of our genetically modified bacterium. These actions had to ensure the well being of the employees, regarding safety rules and risk prevention. For example, in our laboratory, the LISBP, safety is supervised by Nathalie Doubrovine who was the one instructing us regarding safety procedures. Thanks to her, we have completed a formation (with the NEO software) to learn the different risks related to our work in the laboratory and how to react in case of danger. Moreover, we have followed different rules for the using of the autoclave, the wearing of lab coat, closed shoes, gloves in function of the manipulation, the good treatment of wastes, the using of biological safety cabinet, water bathes, the dark room for the using of ethidium bromide, or the using of chemical hoods. Many others precaution rules are classified in a part appointed Safety. Photo chemical hoods : https://2016.igem.org/File:Toulouse_France_chemicalhood.jpg
FRIENDLY OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE:
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SOCIAL JUSTICE:
We have also written a part to explain a French principle very interesting for our discipline: this law (Precautionary principle) was written in 1995. In fact, this law stipulate, for a process, when scientist facts do not allow a global evaluation of the risk, for the protection of the environment and health, it is necessary to take precaution measures. In reality, the field of application is larger and apply too for the consumer policy, the European legislation concerning foods, the environment and the human, animal and plant health. For the using of GMO, this law is also applied but sometimes is difficult to evaluate the real risk and to take the adequate measures of security. So, in practice, scientists take drastic measures to limit the dissemination of GMO because scientists do not know the real impact for the environment. It is thus important to act responsibly, with integrity and full conscience, and to evaluate the risks linked to using GMOs.
Why also pretend to the gold medal !
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