Evaluating the risks posed by synthetic biology

Last week, nearly 70 experts from around the world gathered at EPFL for a workshop on potential threats arising from synthetic biology. Technologies developed in this field aim primarily at treating diseases and combating the effects of climate change, but they can also have unintended consequences or even be used for malicious purposes. This four-day workshop was organized by EPFL's International Risk Governance Center ( [email protected] ). We spoke with Marie-Valentine Florin, the Center's executive director, about IRGC's role at EPFL. How can synthetic biology be used improperly or maliciously? Synthetic biologists are able to construct new biological systems and functions with applications in energy, health care and farming. Yet these same technologies can also be hijacked to create potentially dangerous pathogens for which there is no known treatment. So as researchers, we need to ask ourselves what we can do to advance science and technology for the common good while at the same time managing the risks of "dual-use" research, or research that can be turned against people or the environment.