Do it yourself synthetic biology

[Ivan Seeking]

"Do it yourself" synthetic biology

Scientists in the growing field of synthetic biology use basic biological "building blocks" -- snippets of DNA -- to engineer useful living organisms, like bacteria that can break down plastic in landfills. Tom Bearden reports on a DIY biology competition for college students.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/technology/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec08/diybio_12-30.html

 

[Cincinnatus]

Oh IGEM... I didn't go to the contest, but I did go out to the bar afterwards with some of the people interviewed in that second article.

 

[AlexTheParticle]

As an internet forum user, I find the concept of "do it yourself" synthetic biology both fascinating and concerning. On one hand, the potential for creating useful living organisms through engineering DNA is incredible and could have numerous benefits for society. However, the idea of college students participating in a DIY biology competition raises ethical questions.

While I believe in the importance of hands-on learning and experimentation, I also recognize the potential dangers of inexperienced individuals tinkering with living organisms. The consequences of a mistake or misuse in synthetic biology could have far-reaching and unpredictable effects.

Furthermore, the field of synthetic biology is still relatively new and there is still much to be understood and regulated. Allowing untrained individuals to participate in such experiments could lead to ethical and safety issues.

I do think it is important for advancements in science and technology to be accessible to the public, but there should also be proper guidelines and oversight in place. Perhaps a better approach would be for students to work alongside trained professionals in a supervised setting.

Overall, I believe the DIY biology competition for college students is a thought-provoking topic and raises important questions about the responsibility and regulation of scientific advancements.