Playing God?

PA53/10 The ethics and implications of creating artificial life will be hotly debated at a public science event taking place in Nottingham this weekend. Should We Create Synthetic Life? , taking place at the Broadway Media Centre on Sunday, has been organised by staff and students at The University of Nottingham as a way of opening up a public dialogue on the new science of synthetic biology. The public debate, which coincides with a major scientific symposium being held at the University, will hear from leading scientific experts and social scientists about recent advances in what is rapidly becoming one of the most controversial areas of biology. Dr Natalio Krasnagor, of The University of Nottingham's School of Computer Science, who is organising the symposium, said: "The new science of synthetic biology aims to re-engineer life at the molecular level and even create completely new forms of life. It has the potential to create new medicines, biofuels, assist climate change through carbon capture, and develop solutions to help clean up the environment." However, opponents of synthetic biology are quick to voice concerns about its potential misuse in creating new biological weapons, the uncontrolled release of genetically-modified organisms that could be harmful to health and the environment and, at a more philosophical level, whether scientists are 'playing God'. Dr Paul Martin is a social scientist in the University's School of Sociology and Social Policy who has worked on the ethics of synthetic biology.