Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
Synthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841556099753312256 |
|---|---|
| author | Matthew J. Tarnowski Mario Pansera |
| author_facet | Matthew J. Tarnowski Mario Pansera |
| author_sort | Matthew J. Tarnowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Synthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologies. The outcome is a re-evaluation of synthetic biology through the lens of ‘conviviality’, a concept introduced by Ivan Illich to designate a modern society of responsibly limited tools, where individual freedom is realised through personal interdependence. We find that in its current form, synthetic biology is not convivial since it relies on centralisation, monopolies and technologies which have the capacity to negatively affect the biosphere and its inhabitants. We argue that a broader conception of biotechnology, beyond genetics, is needed to conceive convivial biotechnologies. In our research journey we explore a range of approaches for responsible biotechnology innovation, which includes open-source, commons-based, decentralised organisations, and post-growth models. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7edb4c2515da4235997fde17c7561925 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2329-9460 2329-9037 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
| spelling | doaj-art-7edb4c2515da4235997fde17c75619252025-01-07T13:48:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Responsible Innovation2329-94602329-90372024-12-0111110.1080/23299460.2024.2351233Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?Matthew J. Tarnowski0Mario Pansera1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKPost-Growth Innovation Lab, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, SpainSynthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologies. The outcome is a re-evaluation of synthetic biology through the lens of ‘conviviality’, a concept introduced by Ivan Illich to designate a modern society of responsibly limited tools, where individual freedom is realised through personal interdependence. We find that in its current form, synthetic biology is not convivial since it relies on centralisation, monopolies and technologies which have the capacity to negatively affect the biosphere and its inhabitants. We argue that a broader conception of biotechnology, beyond genetics, is needed to conceive convivial biotechnologies. In our research journey we explore a range of approaches for responsible biotechnology innovation, which includes open-source, commons-based, decentralised organisations, and post-growth models.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233Synthetic biologybiotechnologyresponsible innovationresearch journeyconviviality |
| spellingShingle | Matthew J. Tarnowski Mario Pansera Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? Journal of Responsible Innovation Synthetic biology biotechnology responsible innovation research journey conviviality |
| title | Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? |
| title_full | Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? |
| title_fullStr | Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? |
| title_short | Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? |
| title_sort | is a convivial synthetic biology possible |
| topic | Synthetic biology biotechnology responsible innovation research journey conviviality |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT matthewjtarnowski isaconvivialsyntheticbiologypossible AT mariopansera isaconvivialsyntheticbiologypossible |