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Biology

The Emergence of Synthetic Biology and Its Governance Gaps

Quick fact

Synthetic biology now allows DNA sequences to be designed and ordered online for a few hundred dollars, and the number of organizations with the equipment to construct viruses and bacteria has grown from a handful of research labs to thousands worldwide, yet no comprehensive international treaty specifically regulates synthetic organisms.

Why this is interesting

Imagine being able to program a living cell like you program a computer—designing bacteria to manufacture medicine or even fuel. Now imagine that these creations could be made by nearly anyone, but no single set of rules governs them. What happens when innovation outpaces oversight?