Why the Synthetic Cell Needs Democratic Governance

Habets, Michelle G J L; Zwart, Hub; Est, Rinie van

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.006

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…This includes efforts in expanding the reach of education, developing technologies for use across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries, and engaging across disciplines to make decisions about the future of synthetic cell technology. 210 ■ CONCLUSIONS AND STEPS AHEAD Due to the opportunity to tailor cellular systems for a specific purpose, synthetic cells could have a wide range of potential applications in various fields, such as cell biology, astrobiology and origin-of-life, bioengineering and biomedicine, biomanufacturing, and bioprocess engineering. However, achieving a self-sustaining biochemical reaction remains a significant challenge: the development of a fully functional synthetic cell is a complex and ongoing scientific endeavor that requires the integration of multiple disciplines and technologies.…”

Section: ■ Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Members of the Build-a-Cell research community bring expertise from a variety of fields and backgrounds to foster open channels of collaboration, coordinate fundraising efforts, address biosafety and biosecurity concerns, encourage open technology transfer, and organize outreach efforts to increase understanding among researchers, policymakers, and the public. Other groups, such as the German-led MaxSynBio, the Dutch-led BasyC, and efforts from related fields, exist. − …”

Section: Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a highly impactful biotech field still in its nascency, synthetic cell research is well positioned to address historical barriers to access and address equity and inclusion in science more deliberately and democratically. This includes efforts in expanding the reach of education, developing technologies for use across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries, and engaging across disciplines to make decisions about the future of synthetic cell technology …”

Section: Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Building Synthetic Cells─From the Technology Infrastructure to Cellular Entities

Rothschild,

Averesch,

Strychalski

et al. 2024

ACS Synth. Biol.

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The de novo construction of a living organism is a compelling vision. Despite the astonishing technologies developed to modify living cells, building a functioning cell "from scratch" has yet to be accomplished. The pursuit of this goal alone has�and will�yield scientific insights affecting fields as diverse as cell biology, biotechnology, medicine, and astrobiology. Multiple approaches have aimed to create biochemical systems manifesting common characteristics of life, such as compartmentalization, metabolism, and replication and the derived features, evolution, responsiveness to stimuli, and directed movement. Significant achievements in synthesizing each of these criteria have been made, individually and in limited combinations. Here, we review these efforts, distinguish different approaches, and highlight bottlenecks in the current research. We look ahead at what work remains to be accomplished and propose a "roadmap" with key milestones to achieve the vision of building cells from molecular parts. ■ INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS A CELL AND WHY BUILD ONE?What Is a Cell? Cells are discrete, compartmentalized units of living systems that are distinct from their surrounding environment and other cells. As individuals, they can interact with each other, the environment, and act as distinct units of selection in evolution. While most living cells comprise lipidbounded compartments, other biological entities, such as complex viruses, rely on protein capsules. Growing evidence suggests that compartmentalization via liquid−liquid phase separation (i.e., coacervate formation) may also be sufficient for compartmentalization. 1 The flexibility of this definition of a cell begs the question, "What is life?" While this has been debated for decades, if not centuries, even a modern, more complete understanding of biological systems at the molecular level has not yielded a consensus definition. 2 This is for good reason. Earth's organisms (the only ones known so far) demonstrate breathtaking diversity in their ecology, phenotypes, and biochemistry. Definitions of life have tended to search for commonality in life, and thus are repeatedly rewritten, following discoveries that disprove previously established rules. 3,4 Perhaps a generalized universal definition of life is even impossible: a "natural kind" in philosophy is a category that reflects the actual world and not just human interests or properties of a group. 5 For example, water is a natural kind, whereas chairs are not. Life is possibly not a natural kind, and thus there may never be a natural definition. 6 To anchor our discussion, we use Gańti's Chemoton model of life, 7 which uses three criteria: replication, metabolism, and compartmentalization. From these criteria emerge additional

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Section: ■ Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Concurrent Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Building Synthetic Cells─From the Technology Infrastructure to Cellular Entities

Rothschild,

Averesch,

Strychalski

et al. 2024

ACS Synth. Biol.

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“…Does a synthetic cell need to both replicate and evolve to be considered a cell? While clarity is abundantly needed in this regard, this conflict further stresses why regulators and scientists should begin an open dialogue now on how this biotechnology will be regulated once it comes into existence ( 21 ).…”

Section: Regulatory Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing for the future of precision medicine: synthetic cell drug regulation

Sampson,

Sorenson,

Adamala

2024

Synthetic Biology

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Synthetic cells are a novel class of cell-like bioreactors, offering the potential for unique advancements in synthetic biology and biomedicine. To realize the potential of those technologies, synthetic cell based drugs need to go through drug approval pipeline. Here we discuss several regulatory challenges, both unique to synthetic cells, as well as challenges typical for any new biomedical technology. Overcoming those difficulties could bring transformative therapies to the market, and will create a path to the development and approval of cutting edge synthetic biology therapies.

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“…The field of RRI engages equally with innovations and fundamental research . For instance, recent research on the Synthetic Cell which is still at an early stage, engages in RRI processes call for more participation (Habets et al, 2020).…”

Section: Curiosity In Scientific and Innovation Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

1. Food justice, food security, and climate engineering

Kortetmäki

2021

Justice and Food Security in a Changing Climate

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Both the planning of EurSafe2021 and the origin of this book were profoundly influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are extremely pleased to see that so many contributions still arrived. We would like to thank all authors for sharing their work and insights and all reviewers for their muchappreciated expertise on the vast range of topics. We are grateful for the support and encouragement received from the EurSafe board and Svenja Springer, in preparing this conference despite the challenging circumstances. Our special thanks go to

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Why the Synthetic Cell Needs Democratic Governance

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

Building Synthetic Cells─From the Technology Infrastructure to Cellular Entities

Building Synthetic Cells─From the Technology Infrastructure to Cellular Entities

Preparing for the future of precision medicine: synthetic cell drug regulation

1. Food justice, food security, and climate engineering

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