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The potential of synthetic biology: a view from the European Academies Science Advisory Council

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 9, page 222 (2011)Cite this article

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As mentioned in a recent Editorial (Supporting the synthetic revolution. Nature Rev. Microbiol. 9, 2 (2011))1, the emerging recommendations from the US Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues mark a new phase in developing coordination and public communication in synthetic biology in the United States. Similar strategic issues are also receiving increasing attention in Europe, for example in the European Parliament2.

At the end of 2010, the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) published a report3 reviewing research progress and the concomitant need for international debate on regulatory issues. EASAC was formed by the national science academies of the European Union member states to enable them to collaborate in providing advice to European policy-makers; outputs aim to deliver evidence-based advice that is comprehensible, relevant and timely. Our latest report explores what contribution synthetic biology might make to tackling societal objectives, what scientific and technological challenges must be overcome and what else might prevent the field from realizing its potential.

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References

  1. No authors listed. Supporting the synthetic revolution. Nature Rev. Microbiol. 9, 2 (2011).

  2. Science and Technology Options Assessment Group. Making perfect life: bio-engineering in the 21st century. Science and Technology Options Assessment [online] (2010).

  3. EASAC. Realising European potential in synthetic biology: scientific opportunities and good governance. EASAC [online] (2010).

  4. European Commission. Europeans and Biotechnology in 2010. Winds of Change? Europa [online] (2010).

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Acknowledgements

As Chairman (V.t.M.) and secretary (R.F.) of the EASAC Working Group, we thank the other members: B. Friedrich (Germany), A. Kraszewski (Poland), U. Landegren (Sweden), P. Leadlay (UK), G. Marino (Italy), V. Paces (Czech Republic), B. Poolman (the Netherlands), G. Posfai (Hungary), R. Thauer (Germany), G. Thireos (Greece) and J. Weissenbach (France).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robin Fears and Volker ter Meulen are at the European Academies Science Advisory Council, German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Postfach 110543, D06019 Halle (Saale), Germany. robin.fears@easac.eu; termeulen@vim.uni-wuerzburg.de,

    Robin Fears & Volker ter Meulen

  2. termeulen@vim.uni-wuerzburg.de,

    Robin Fears & Volker ter Meulen

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  1. Robin Fears
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  2. Volker ter Meulen
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Fears, R., ter Meulen, V. The potential of synthetic biology: a view from the European Academies Science Advisory Council. Nat Rev Microbiol 9, 222 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2498-c1

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