Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project
This paper presents, from the perspectives of both social scientists and microbiologists, a case study of the implementation and practice of Responsible Innovation (RI) in a UK-based synthetic biology project. We highlight the impact of interdisciplinary working and examine the benefits that arise f...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2023-01-01
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| Series: | New Genetics and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2023.2232684 |
| _version_ | 1797681248008667136 |
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| author | Ken Taylor Simon Woods Alex Johns Heath Murray |
| author_facet | Ken Taylor Simon Woods Alex Johns Heath Murray |
| author_sort | Ken Taylor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents, from the perspectives of both social scientists and microbiologists, a case study of the implementation and practice of Responsible Innovation (RI) in a UK-based synthetic biology project. We highlight the impact of interdisciplinary working and examine the benefits that arise from creating the time and space for shared reflection on research. Our discussions over the course of the project included concerns about the potential escape to the environment of laboratory-constructed genetic material and alternatives to the role that antibiotic resistance genes play in synthetic biology. As a result, the design of a key product of the project was altered in ways that go beyond normal institutional requirements. We highlight our view of the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration and the utility of the framework of Responsible Innovation in achieving this. We conclude with observations on the difficulties of sustaining such collaborations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:41:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-925df63e5b584694936425ddc0162ad8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1463-6778 1469-9915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:41:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | New Genetics and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-925df63e5b584694936425ddc0162ad82023-09-19T15:22:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupNew Genetics and Society1463-67781469-99152023-01-0142110.1080/14636778.2023.22326842232684Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research projectKen Taylor0Simon Woods1Alex Johns2Heath Murray3Newcastle UniversityNewcastle UniversityNewcastle UniversityNewcastle UniversityThis paper presents, from the perspectives of both social scientists and microbiologists, a case study of the implementation and practice of Responsible Innovation (RI) in a UK-based synthetic biology project. We highlight the impact of interdisciplinary working and examine the benefits that arise from creating the time and space for shared reflection on research. Our discussions over the course of the project included concerns about the potential escape to the environment of laboratory-constructed genetic material and alternatives to the role that antibiotic resistance genes play in synthetic biology. As a result, the design of a key product of the project was altered in ways that go beyond normal institutional requirements. We highlight our view of the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration and the utility of the framework of Responsible Innovation in achieving this. We conclude with observations on the difficulties of sustaining such collaborations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2023.2232684responsible innovationsynthetic biologyinterdisciplinaritybiocontainmentantibiotic resistance |
| spellingShingle | Ken Taylor Simon Woods Alex Johns Heath Murray Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project New Genetics and Society responsible innovation synthetic biology interdisciplinarity biocontainment antibiotic resistance |
| title | Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| title_full | Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| title_fullStr | Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| title_short | Intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| title_sort | intrinsic responsible innovation in a synthetic biology research project |
| topic | responsible innovation synthetic biology interdisciplinarity biocontainment antibiotic resistance |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2023.2232684 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kentaylor intrinsicresponsibleinnovationinasyntheticbiologyresearchproject AT simonwoods intrinsicresponsibleinnovationinasyntheticbiologyresearchproject AT alexjohns intrinsicresponsibleinnovationinasyntheticbiologyresearchproject AT heathmurray intrinsicresponsibleinnovationinasyntheticbiologyresearchproject |