On the Brink of Shifting Paradigms, Molecular Systems Engineering Ethics Needs to Take a Proactive Approach

Abstract

Molecular Systems Engineering (MSE) is a paradigm shift in both engineering and life sciences. While the field is still in its infancy the perspectives of MSE in revolutionising technology is promising. MSE will offer a wide range of applications in clinical, biotechnological and engineering fields while simultaneously posing serious questions on the ethical and societal aspects of such technology. The moral and societal aspects of MSE need systematic investigation from scientific and social perspectives. In a democratic setting, the societal outcomes of MSE's cutting-edge technology need to be consulted and influenced by society itself. For this purpose MSE needs inclusive public engagement strategies that bring together the public, ethicists, scientists and policy makers for optimum flow of information that maximizes the impact of public engagement. In this report we present an MSE consortium and its ethics framework for establishing a proactive approach in the study of the ethics of MSE technology. Keywords: Art of molecule · Ethics · Molecular systems engineering · Proactive ethics · Public engagement · Society Molecular Systems EngineeringThe origin of life, i.e. how early life form(s) appeared on earth, is still a mystery not only for science but also for philosophy. In 2014, scientists simulated an extra-terrestrial high-power strike that triggered the synthesis of nucleobases -the ingredients of life -from formamide. [1] Formation of nucleobases from formamide about 4 billion years ago is one of the possible scenarios that could explain the sudden emergence of RNA (ribonucleic acid) as the earliest precursor of life. Deciphering the processes of abiogenesis potentially enables scientists to write their own recipe of genetic code and re-create exotic life forms as not seen before. The emergence of interdisciplinary fields such as synthetic biology, together with systems approaches in discovery science (e.g. systems chemistry and systems biology) are revolutionizing our traditional attitude in the life sciences and open, as yet unprecedented, possibilities to develop novel applications in medical science, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.Synthetic biology takes advantage of multiple problem-solving strategies: it permits us to determine a minimal gene setting that constitutes a living cellular form (top-down approach), and to construct synthetic biological systems, protocells and living cells (bottom-up approach) with the ultimate goal: to redesign life. [2] Systems biology integrates this information into computational models and mathematical formulae that can describe the structure of the system. [3] The bottom-up approach of synthetic biology in the construction of living cells/organisms requires an in-depth understanding of chemical structure of molecules and their behaviour within dynamic chemo-biological networks. Systems chemistry assists synthetic biology by addressing the molecular prerequisites of self-replication and self-reproduction; systems chemistry contributes to synthet...

Public and Stakeholder Engagement in Developing Human Heritable Genome Editing Policies: What Does it Mean and What Should it Mean?

“…Sources: Adashi et al, 2020;Barbosa et al, 2020;Burgess, 2014;Cormick, 2009;Fisher, 2011;Guston, 2014;Haywood and Besley, 2014;Heidari et al, 2016;Irwin, 2014;Jones, 2014;Jasanoff, 2003;Jasanoff, 2004;Kyle and Dodds, 2009;Kaner et al, 2014;Kouper, 2010;Lezaun and Soneryd, 2007;Longstaff and Secko, 2016;NASEM, 2017 (p 110, 182) Pham, 2016;Posner et al, 2016;Reed et al, 2018;Scheufele et al, 2021;Selin et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2021;Stilgoe et al, 2014;Stix, 2021;Stirling, 2008;Stirling, 2012;Stix, 2021;Sturgis, 2014;van Est, 2011;Varner, 2014;Warnock, 1984;Weller et al, 2021;Wilsdon and Willis, 2014. to guide the research (Baltimore et al, 2015a;Landphier et al, 2015;Lander et al, 2019).…”

“…PSE should seek a broad range of sometimes divergent views and opinions on subjects, including people with different backgrounds, expertise or experiences (Adashi et al, 2020;Barbosa et al, 2020;Cormick, 2009;Fisher, 2011;Heidari et al, 2016;Kyle and Dodds, 2009;Neuhaus, 2018;Scheufele et al, 2021;Smith et al, 2021;Stirling, 2012;Stix, 2021;Sturgis, 2014). Each committee attempted to be inclusive.…”

“…To be accountable, PSE efforts should include plans for assessment and be assessed both to ensure they are meeting their goals and to measure their impact on recommendations or guidelines issued (Cormick, 2009;Stilgoe et al, 2014;Heidari et al, 2016;Longstaff and Secko, 2016;Selin et al, 2017;Neuhaus, 2018;Scheufele et al, 2021;Stix, 2021). This includes evaluating whether a committee was successful in meeting the other four ideals (comprehensive, transparent, inclusive, and methodologically sound): did they addressed the range of relevant questions and issues, operated and reported their work transparently, reached a broad range of stakeholders and members of the public, and adopted methods that were suited to particular goals?…”