‘Synthetic Blood’: Entangling Politics and Biology

Abstract

It is increasingly suggested that shortages in the supply chain for human blood could be met by the development of techniques to manufacture human blood ex vivo. These techniques fall broadly under the umbrella of synthetic biology. We examine the biopolitical context surrounding the ex vivo culture of red blood cells through the linked concepts of alienation, immunity, bio-value and biosecuritization. We engage with diverse meanings of synthetic blood, and questions about how the discourses of biosecurity and privatization of risk are linked to claims that the technology will address unmet needs and promote social justice. Through our discussion we contrast communitarian ideas that culturing red blood cells 'extends the gift' of adult blood donation with understandings of the immunitary logics that underpin the cord-blood economy.

Embedding responsible innovation within synthetic biology research and innovation: insights from a UK multi-disciplinary research centre

“…Within these groups a broad range of RI activities or interventions has been undertaken that include but go beyond public engagement, fostering both firstand second-order reflexivity (Owen and Pansera 2019b). For example, RI activities stemming from work with the Toye lab have included reflection on the political economy of synthetic blood (Kent and Meacham 2019) and a collaboration and artistic residency with a local artist and several subsequent exhibits (Connor 2019), as well as numerous local and national public engagement events (e.g. Blood Culture 2019).…”

Art-Science Collaboration in an EPSRC/BBSRC-Funded Synthetic Biology UK Research Centre

“…Researchers from the synthetic biology centre came to see it. Two "ethics of" case studies were already in place (synthetic or "cultured" blood; and life/non-life boundary at the molecular level [43,44]. And another was to be started (wheat) by myself.…”

Philosophy and Synthetic Biology: the BrisSynBio Experiment

“…5 To this context can be added the fact that synthetic biology encompasses practices and areas of investigation, including computational and systems biology, as well as minimal biology and proto-life research wherein genuinely philosophical questions about chemical cognition, the possibility of providing a list of characteristics that could "define" life, the origins of terrestrial life, and the political economy of biomaterials (e.g. blood products, see [7]) entered into the consideration and discussion of the activities (and funding) of synthetic biology laboratories themselves.…”

“…The further question at stake in the novelty discussion is if the novelty (or not) of synthetic biology impacts ethical, societal and political considerations on the field's development and application? 7 This is significant because it introduces questions about to what extent the "new" synthetic biology (gene editing and gene drives included) entails a tinkering or tampering with the fundamental aspects of life itself (whatever those may be) that introduces novel considerations, questions and problems for value theory. This is not to say that considerations must be novel in order to be significant, or that new technologies must introduce qualitatively new philosophical, political, economic, or social challenges in order to merit being examined through these lenses.…”

“…The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in 2018 that new gene editing techniques in agriculture did fall under existing EU GMO regulation [8]. 7 Braun et al [10] have provided a helpful literature overview and outlook on the ethical and societal challenges in synthetic biology. The lack of novelty argument was also used to justify the use of "new breeding techniques" as not falling under existing GMO regulation in the ECJ case referred to above.…”