Ontologies of Life and Ethics

Work Package S2

Synthetic Biology as one of the currently leading fields of so called emerging biotechnologies does not only promise new scientific insights into the organization of complex systems as well as possible applications for societal challenges but does also evoke several ethical, societal and governmental challenges.

Within the first funding period we focus on the ethical questions colligated with SB on the one hand and the societal and especially participatory questions linked with the roots of SB as a part of the Do-it-Yourself-Biology movement as well as a citizens science approach. During the second funding period we will proceed with the work on developing modes for a governmental frame of responsible research and innovation in Synthetic Biology. Furthermore we will continue with the started work on technological innovation and modes of public participation at the interface of science and society as well as figure out the role of philosophical and theological concepts in dealing with processes of developing a synthetic cell.

Synthetic Biology as one of the currently leading fields of the so called emerging biotechnologies does not only promise new scientific insights into the organization of complex systems as well as possible applications for societal challenges but does also evoke several ethical, societal and governmental challenges. Within the first funding period we focus on the ethical questions colligated with Synthetic Biology on the one hand and the societal and especially participatory questions – linked with the roots of Synthetic Biology as a part of the Do-it-Yourself-Biology movement as well as a citizens science approach – on the other hand. During the second funding period we will continue to work on technological innovation and modes of public participation at the interface of science and society and elaborate the role of philosophical and theological concepts in dealing with processes of developing a synthetic cell. Finally the project aims at developing modes for a governmental frame of responsible research and innovation in Synthetic Biology. 

MaxSynBio Network Partner

Ethical and social challenges within Synthetic Biology: Ontologies of life, public perceptions and governance issues more
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