Policy On Synthetic Biology | UPSC Science and Technology
The term synthetic biology was used by Barbara Hobomin in 1980 to describe bacteria that had been genetically engineered using recombinant DNA Technology. It is the science of using genetic sequencing, editing, and modification to create unnatural organisms or organic molecules that can function in the living system.
Recently, the Department of Biotechnology released a draft foresight paper on synthetic biology and has stressed the need for a national policy that can consolidate India’s stand on the issue.
Applications of Synthetic Biology
1. The applications of synthetic biology ranges from developing synthetic organism for vaccination to creating natural products in a lab such as a vanillin that can be grown in yeasts with additional plant genomes.
2. Synthetic biology is quite in the pharmaceutical industry and it can be used to make natural compounds such as artemisinin that is used for the treatment of malaria and Car T cell therapy for cancer treatment.
3. It is also useful in Fashion Industry and some companies are exploring the possibility of jeans without producing waste.
4. Synthetic biology is very much useful in Agriculture. Some companies are delivering fixed nitrogen to plants instead of fertilizers, engineering microbes to create food additives and proteins.
Why Policy on Synthetic biology is needed?
The policy on synthetic biology is needed because it is rapidly evolving with new inventions every year. Many products and other materials will start coming out with the help of synthetic biology and it is important that we should be ready with the regulatory framework. It is time for India to consolidate its stand on the science of synthetic biology and communicate its interests and aspirants internationally with clarity and should avoid conflicting stands.
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