Following the organism to map synthetic genomics

Area of Science:

• Synthetic genomics
• Engineering biology
• Responsible research and innovation

Background:

• Synthetic genomics, an outgrowth of synthetic biology, focuses on engineering whole genomes and organisms.
• The field is diverse and challenging to characterize.
• Social scientists are investigating responsible innovation within synthetic genomics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a heuristic for organizing synthetic genomics projects.
• To make sense of the field's diversity by focusing on the engineered organism.
• To understand the field's current shape and future directions, particularly regarding sustainability.

Main Methods:

• Development of a tagging system to categorize projects.
• Focusing on the roles engineered organisms are designed to perform.
• Social scientific analysis of responsible research and innovation.

Main Results:

• A proposed tagging system offers a way to organize diverse synthetic genomics projects.
• This system helps in understanding the field's structure and trajectory.
• It facilitates inquiry into how synthetic genomics can foster sustainable interspecies relationships.

Conclusions:

• Focusing on the engineered organism provides a useful framework for synthetic genomics.
• The proposed tagging system aids in navigating the complexity of the field.
• This approach supports critical questions about synthetic biology's role in a sustainable future.