Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology brings together engineering and the life sciences in order to design and construct new biological parts, devices and systems that do not currently exist in the natural world or to tweak the designs of existing biological systems. Synthetic biologists, engaged in a kind of extreme genetic engineering, hope to construct designer organisms that perform specific tasks such as producing biofuels or other high-value compounds.

Box containing a card game with illustrations from the game
Our new game "Disruption!: a battle for the future of food"
12 Feb 2021
Butterfly in Glen Art Reserve, East Gippsland, Australia
Has the synthetic biology industry hijacked IUCN?
Gates-funded synbio lobby firm Emerging Ag Inc takes driving seat in IUCN discussion on biodiversity and synbio. 3 Sep 2020
Gene Drive Organisms
An introduction to a dangerous new technology putting Africans at risk 2 Dec 2019

Reports on Synthetic Biology

Gene Drive Organisms
Genetically-Engineered Clothes
Haiti, Essential Oils & Synthetic Biology
What is Synthetic Biology? The Comic Book
more reports
ETC Podcast Episode #1: Gene drives in Africa
11 Nov 2019
Was world conservation agency's report on genetic engineering and gene drive organisms rigged?
Clear evidence of bias and conflicts of interest found by monitoring group 8 Jul 2019
Civil Society Denounces the Release of GM mosquitoes in Burkina Faso
2 Jul 2019
Video: From the Lab to the Field to the Forest
Synthetic biology on the loose 21 Jun 2019
The first page of the report
Driving Under the Influence
A review of the evidence for bias and conflict of interest in the IUCN report on synthetic biology and gene drive organisms 21 Jun 2019
Rise of the Petri-Proteins?
Some likely effects of lab-grown meat-like substances on farmers, food systems and the climate 5 Apr 2019
more articles