December 1, 2020
The Future and Synthetic Biology
Because we are nowadays able to modify living organisms through genetic manipulation, it has become possible to patent the process of modification. This situation creates a new form of ownership on the products of genetic engineering: who is responsible for the potential consequences of the changed organism? In this exercise, students will look into real-life applications of synthetic biology. Some small exercises will help to provide orientation in the realm of ethical issues connected to genetically modifying organisms. Afterwards, students will write a fictive news article from the future to consider the consequences of applications of the new technology of synthetic biology.