SBPWG:Discussion/Practices Bootcamp

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Practices Bootcamp

Description

A week-long intensive in-residence course in the broader societal context of developments in synthetic biology designed to foster leadership in advancing responsible practices.

Broad Goals

• Foster leadership among a community of scholars working together with other partners and stakeholders to best advance synthetic biology.
• Provide participants with an intensive, productive and fun introduction to the broader societal context in which synthetic biology is being developed which equips them with knowledge, skills, resources and connections to make well-informed choices about directing their future work.
• Provide a venue for intensive discussion on how we might strategically direct synthetic biology development to best benefit the public good.

In Plain English:

• KNOWLEDGE/RESOURCES: curriculum in the past and current state of biotechnology practice
• COMMUNITY: connections with (i) peers who will become the next generation of leaders and (ii) leaders and stakeholders in synthetic biology.
• PRACTICE: engagement in envisioning and suggesting paths for best advancing the field towards public good
• PRODUCTIVITY: production of concrete deliverables which facilitate sharing of lessons and recommendations from the course

Application

How can synthetic biology be developed to best benefit people and the planet? Describe (in <500 words) a product, practice, policy or grand plan for, or from, synthetic biology that you believe may enable a better future. Give 3 reasons why it will succeed, and list 3 major assumptions, potential pitfalls, or uncertainties in your proposal. Lastly, describe briefly describe how participation in this workshop might help to explore the viability of your idea(s) and aid in your future work.

Curriculum Components

(Bio)Technology and the Public Good: Introduction and Framing

• How do we think about technology and the ‘public good’? By which criteria do/can we evaluate how technologies enhance human and environmental flourishing?
• How and why are certain technologies adopted? What are the drivers of technology?

History of Biotechnology / Synthetic Biology

• What were the critical innovations? Actors? Institutions? Programs? Investments?

Current and Future Investments in Synthetic Biology

• The economics of synthetic biology

Synthetic Biology in the US Institutions

• Academic
• Corporate
• Governmental

Funding Agencies

• SynBERC
• DARPA
• Sloan

Synthetic Biology in an International Context

• How is SB being developed/funded in other countries? How does this differ from the US strategy?

Synthetic Biology and the Innovation Landscape

• What types of things are we making? Plug & play vs new application spaces?
• Investments in applications vs. tools/technology platforms?
• Who is interested (governments, existing companies, venture)?

Synthetic Biology, Intellectual Property and Open Innovation Systems

• Current practices in IP
• Theories/proposals for new systems
• Recent developments (e.g. Myriad) & their implications

Synthetic Biology as an ‘Emerging’ Technology

• What have we learnt from other contemporary emerging technologies (nanotech etc)?

Synthetic Biology, Prudent Vigilance and Responsible Technology Development

• Interpretation and significance of the Presidential Bioethics Commission

Synthetic Biology Regulation and Oversight

• Which regulatory agencies current oversee syn bio products? What are the current/future gaps?

Synthetic Biology and Risk Governance

• What are different approaches to risk analysis?

Synthetic Biology & Biosecurity

Synthetic Biology as a Discipline: Education and Vocation

• How are we educating the next generation of synthetic biologists?

Synthetic Biology and Public Communication

• What do we know about the way the public perceive biotechnology?

Open challenges: The next 5, 10, 15 years and beyond

• Gaps lists from different groups/meetings

Case studies

Company Profiles: why are these companies/institutions betting on syn bio? what is their strategy?

• synthetic genomics
• amyris
• life technologies
• DSM
• ginkgo
• dna 2.0
• could also profile new depts / institutions in syn bio like Berkeley
• GEVO
• LS9
• Codexis
• Agilent

Technology Spaces:

• examine deeply one or more particular application spaces (e.g. Biofuels)

Formats

Have mix of short expert presentations, discussions and small group projects

Lots of opportunities for activities, off-line discussions

Participants & Invited Guests

Participants: ~20-25 people (>=grad student) who are (interested in) doing innovative work in various areas concerning the practice of synthetic biology:

• Technologists / Natural Scientists
• Social Scientists
• Artists, Designers, Philosophers

Invited Guests Tutors could come from areas such as:

• Media, Communications, Marketing
• Industry
• Funding agencies
• Government Officials: Policy, Regulation
• DIY/DIT community
• Economists
• Law
• Risk Analysis
• Experts on Teaching the Social and Ethical Implications of Research
• Civil Society Organizations
• Ethicists

For consideration:

• Nita Farahany (Stanford) : Presidential Bioethics Comission - Law & Ethics
• Steve Maurer (Berkeley) - Economics of Syn Bio
• Brent Erickson (BIO) : Corporate Investment Landscape
• Rob Carlson: Economics of Syn Bio
• Ken Oye (MIT): IP, Biosecurity, Reg of Emerging Tech
• David Rajeski (Wilson Center): Public Involvemen, Policy, Reg
• Sheila Jasannof (Harvard): History of Biotechnology in an International Context
• David Mandell (MIT) - sugg. by Reid Williams
• Legal Counsel from small biotechs like LS9 (sugg by Ryan Ritterson
• Arti Rai (Duke): policy, patent law
• Hank Greeley (Stanford)
• Mark Lemley (Stanford): Patent Law
• Michele Garfinkel (EMBO): policy
• Rick Johnson (BBF): legal
• Tom Khalil (OSTP): federal policy
• Jane Evans-Ryan (worked w/ BBF): Communications
• Ed You (FBI): Biosafety/biosecurity

Deliverables

1. Technology Roadmap / White Paper

2. Journal Article Summarizing the Meeting Outcomes

3. New research proposal(s)

Partners, Sponsors

Bay Bio: http://baybio.org/

QB3: