Our speaker on Synthentic Biology, Chris Anderson, is not only an engineer in biologist’s body, but he happens to be one of the hottest young investigators out there.

Chris writes in the Technology Review about a more prominent shift in biological research, the shift towards engineering. Using well studied cells like E. Coli, the “engineer” would add/edit the DNA sequence – the software if you will. The engineer could also rewire the entire DNA structure, add whole new bits – ie the hardware. By using a well understood lines, the process can be automated bringing the price down.

The benefit? A bio-machine that can swim to the heart of a cancer cell and kill it. A bacteria that can turn grass into fuel. It’s boundless.

But there are serious ethical concerns about manipulating cells in this way. What about mutations that rage out of control? There are no real guidelines at this point either. (You can read a recent report on the ethical implications here)

More Info:
U.K. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Report on Social & Ethical Challenges