7. Synthetic Biology

Ethical considerations in synthetic biology (SynBio) extend beyond biosafety and biosecurity concerns to encompass issues of justice and political dimensions, necessitating an approach that accounts for both theoretical frameworks and the practical realities of laboratory research. Given SynBio’s interdisciplinary approach and dual-use potential, ensuring its overall positive impact requires a stage-wise and research area-specific ethical analysis rather than treating it as a monolithic technology. Ethical assessments should be integrated at distinct phases of research—knowledge generation, methodological development, and application—while also prioritizing environmental and livelihood justice to address broader societal implications. Establishing ethical awareness early in researchers’ careers can foster a long-term commitment to responsible research practices, influencing both individual projects and institutional policies. Although political and corporate interests often drive technological development, fostering public engagement and ethical discourse remains imperative. Furthermore, current ethical discussions on SynBio frequently rely on dualistic frameworks, such as nature versus machine or life versus nonlife, which can lead to conceptual deadlocks. Integrating non-dualistic perspectives, particularly from non-Western philosophies, can provide deeper insights and contribute to a more holistic and context-sensitive ethical approach to SynBio.