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Synthetic Biology

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics

Abstract

Synthetic biology is a techno-scientific discipline with the declared goal of rationally engineering biological systems. Despite its considerable promise – regarding applications in medicine, energy, environmental remediation, and agriculture – synthetic biology raises numerous ethical issues pertaining to intellectual property, the creation of novel life forms, biosafety, and biosecurity.

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References

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Further Readings

  • Carlson, R. H. (2010b). Biology is technology: The promise, peril, and new business of engineering life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Garfinkel, M. S., Endy, D., Epstein, G. L., & Friedman, R. M. (2007b). Synthetic genomics: Options for governance. Industrial Biotechnology, 3(4), 333–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. (2010). New directions. Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. B., & Zilinskas, R. A. (2006). The promise and perils of synthetic biology. New Atlantis, 12(1), 25–45.

    Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Human Bioethics; School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Michael J. Selgelid

  2. Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Market Street, Suite 320, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3319, USA

    Nicholas Evans

Authors
  1. Michael J. Selgelid
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  2. Nicholas Evans
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas Evans .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duquesne University Center for Healthcare Ethics, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Henk ten Have

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Selgelid, M.J., Evans, N. (2015). Synthetic Biology. In: ten Have, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_414-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_414-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-05544-2

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