Navigating biosafety concerns within COVID-19 do-it-yourself (DIY) science: an ethnographic and interview study

Area of Science:

• Citizen science
• DIY biology
• Bioethics

Background:

• Non-establishment science, or do-it-yourself (DIY) science, involves individuals conducting experiments outside traditional institutions.
• While DIY biology motivations are studied, ethical navigation, particularly biosafety, remains under-researched.
• Understanding how DIY biologists manage ethical challenges is crucial for the advancement of citizen science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how DIY biologists identify, approach, and resolve biosafety issues in their research.
• To examine the ethical practices and infrastructure developed within a prominent DIY biology community.

Main Methods:

• Digital ethnography of Just One Giant Lab (JOGL), a major DIY biology hub during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Semi-structured interviews with individuals actively participating in JOGL.

Main Results:

• JOGL established the first global DIY biology Biosafety Advisory Board and created formal biosafety guidelines.
• Discussions arose regarding the Board's authority: advisory versus mandatory oversight.
• JOGL implemented ethical gatekeeping for projects exceeding defined biosafety limits.

Conclusions:

• The DIY biology community actively recognizes and addresses biosafety concerns.
• JOGL's efforts highlight the development of community-driven infrastructure to promote safe research practices.
• This study provides insights into the practical ethical considerations within DIY science.