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Years of Modi Government Has BIOSCIENCE got its Ache Din yet?2

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Dr Renu SwarupManaging Director, BIRAC

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Has BIOSCIENCE got its Ache Din yet?

2 Years of

GovernmentMODI

Has BIOSCIENCE got its Ache Din yet?

2 Years of

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Synthetic Biology describes arational design approach toengineer biological systemsusing a standard inventory of

parts and rules of composition. Theability to move from discovery todesign, has unleashed a new wave ofcreativity among scientists. Peopleare suddenly excited about buildingeverything: including DNA, RNA,protein organelles, cells and tissues,towards useful applications.

Though the term genetic engineeringwas liberally used for many decades,

quite frankly, the engineering ingenetics has just begun. Furthermore,this interface of engineering andgenetics is rapidly broadening as wellas deepening. This is due to the factthat creation of a genetically modifiedorganism has been based onprobabilities than precision i.e.,combining redesigned vector with thehost cell at a certain concentrationhinged on a hope that the vector willtemporarily express in the cell anddeliver the much needed cargo.Though this approach has been highly

successful, it is a demonstration ofprobability, not engineering.

In June 2004, synthetic biologymade its formal appearance throughits first conference at MIT, laying anew engineering foundation inbiology even though the introductorywork and terminology were coinedmuch earlier. This event triggered amassive influx of ideas towardscomputer aided design of organisms.In India, synthetic biology researchis at a nascent stage and there is aneed to bring various stakeholders

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SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND THERESPONSIBLE FUTURES

The ever changing dynamics in the genetic engineering have popped up the term‘responsible innovation’ which means equal attention to societal needs as well asethics, write India’s top experts

on a common platform (Singh andDhar 2013).

One of the major outcomes ofsynthetic biology research has beenthe development of ‘long DNAsynthesis’ technology.

For the last ten years, the cost ofchemically synthesizing DNA baseshas dropped at least 10 times - froma dollar a base to 10 cents a base.Some companies are claiming amuch higher drop in the cost ofDNA synthesis. Along with asignificant reduction in the cost ofsynthesizing DNA, the ability to cookup longer DNA sequences hasincreased remarkably. From a primerlevel ability to synthesize DNAsequences, the current technologyallows chemical synthesis of wholemicrobial genomes!

The power of low cost DNA synthesiscombined with the power ofsynthesizing long DNA sequencesopens up a realm of unimaginablepossibilities. Suddenly the term“responsible innovation” startsringing the bell!

One consciously looks for trenchesand caveats that may not be visible toan innocent eye. The attention movesfrom a network of applications to anetwork of responsibilities. Given thatSynthetic Biology community islargely based on a slippery slope of

self-regulation, it could lead toscenarios that are detrimental to lifeon this planet impacting biodiversityand health.

On one side, societal needs requireinnovations to improve the quality oflife. On the other side, dual usetechnologies, if left undiagnosed anduntreated can cause disturbance ofdelicate balance and irreversibledamage to environment andhuman health.

The long and short of DNASynthesis

The first evidence of chemical DNAsynthesis came from HG Khorana’slab in 1950s leading to the cracking ofgenetic code.

Fast forward technologicaladvancements to 2016 and we seechemically synthesized genomesequences coming at a fraction of costand time. Though long DNA synthesishas helped speed up recombinantDNA research, we visualize a scenariowhere synthesizing zika virus canmerely cost of a desktop and HerpesVirus cost a sedan! Thus, a thin linethat exists between availabletechnology and emergence of a deadlyvirus, may be that of an intent.

Recently, a discreet meeting ofscientists at Boston (revealed by thepress) talked about making ofsynthetic cell line with a complete

human genome that can, with furtherresearch, lead to creation of designerhuman babies. This raises seriousethical questions which, until now,have not been properly addressed atthe societal level and may lead todetrimental effect on human lives.

This is not to say that long DNAsynthesis should be stopped on itstracks. The key word really is‘responsibility’. This technology canhelp scientists quickly arrive at resultsleading to useful products. What usedto take months can now be achievedin a matter of weeks. This technologyhas the power to transform severalindustries - be it biopharma,agriculture or biomaterials.

For industries, this technology isa potential asset worth billions ofdollars. However, for legalluminaries, it is an opportunityfor writing new laws at theboundary of fundamental right tohuman health and responsiblescientific explorations.

For academicians from sciences andsocial sciences it’s a mirror imagescenario. The former looks at anexciting gift of a technology to thesociety and the latter (socialscientists) try to study theconvergence and foreseeuncomfortable folding’s or grey areas,which can be a threat to the society.In our view, finding the right balance

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between innovation and safety, is theneed of the hour.

The need for multidisciplinarycollaboration

Given the rapid pace of proliferationof long DNA synthesis technology, werecommend convergence of scientists,social scientists, lawyers, economists,business persons, members of civilsociety like NGOs, journalists,bureaucrats and politicians, to discussthe technology, develop tool for earlydiagnosis of anomalies and a legalframework to ensure a responsibleinnovation. This can be achieved bybringing various organizationstogether on this issue.

In India, several leading institutionssuch as the IITs, IISc and JawaharlalNehru University (JNU) have aleading presence in Synthetic Biology.In this regard JNU presents itselfwith expertise rich in science,economics and policy in the form ofSchool of Biotechnology, Centre forLaw and Governance, Centre forPolitical studies, Centre for Sociology,Centre for Science Policy, Centre forEconomic Studies and Planning andSchool of International Studies.

To explore the emerging aspects ofresponsible innovation in long DNAsynthesis technology, each School /Centre may come on a commonplatform and address overt and covertissues arising from this technology,leading to a joint declaration andrecommendation to the Governmentof India.

Furthermore, the need of the hour isto trigger nationwide debates invitingmembers of the society from variouscross sections to present their viewsand concerns. The bigger goal is todevelop a national consensus onresponsible innovation arising fromemerging technologies and findsocially acceptable pathways.

Given the rapid pace development inbiotechnology sector,recommendation for creating Centrefor biotechnology policy andregulatory sciences have been made(Dash 2012).

At the international level, there is aneed for dialogue among responsiblenations for sharing global wisdomand develop a common protocol forhumanity. Furthermore, there is aneed to understand and identifystructural loopholes and suggestremedial measures. We need to set upstandards of responsible innovation,encourage nations to participate andgive recommendations. There is aneed for strong Indian presence inthis area and lead the world bydemonstrating insight, integrity andan inspirational leadership.

Summary

For dual use technologies, thedemarcation line of innovation forpublic good versus public suffering isquite thin. Innovation needs to benurtured with responsibility as noveltechnologies and products aresometimes used tools of foreignpolicy. To ensure that innovationresults in genuine public good forall, it’s time to create a virtualnetwork of information exchange,involving academia, industry andgovernments. The need of the houris to inculcate value-based educationand prevent misuse. Given thatevery innovation comes at a cost tothe planet, responsible innovationand sustainability must go together.Due to this reason, the responsibilityof global community to enjoy fruitsof long DNA synthesis technologyand prevent its misuse, is not just afancy buzzword. There is really noother choice.

References

1. Dash SP. Indian Biotechnology: TheRoadmap to the Next Decade and Beyond.Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprisesreport. Bangalore 2012

2. Singh D, PK Dhar. Exploring the Future ofSynthetic Biology in India and its ProbablePathways from Infancy to Maturity. CurrSynthetic Sys Biol 2013, 1: 106

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in thisarticle are author's own and do not reflect theposition or official policy of theirOrganizations]

PROF PAWAN DHARProfessor andHead, SyntheticBiology group,School ofBiotechnology,JNU, New Delhi.Prior to this, heheld seniorscientific positions

at Shiv Nadar University, RIKENGenomics Sciences Centre, Japan,Bioinformatics Institute, Singapore,Keio University and Kyoto Universityin Japan and Manipal University. Hereceived his PhD in 1993 from BHUfor his work on Human Genetics. Hisrecent work on making artificialgenes has been called potentialbreakthrough by European ScienceCommission.

DR SATYA PRAKASH DASHHead Strategy,Partnerships,EntrepreneurshipDevelopment atthe BiotechnologyIndustry ResearchAssistance Council(BIRAC). In thepast, he has been

a Senior Strategy consultant to IIM-B& IISc in understanding theecosystem’s needs for a medical-technology platform. Prior to that, hewas the COO of biotechnologyindustry association, ABLE. He holdstriple masters from Cambridge (UK),Leicester (UK) & Sambalpur (Orissa)and a PhD from University of EastAnglia, UK.

DEEPAK SINGHPhD Candidate atthe Centre for theStudies in SciencePolicy, JNU, NewDelhi. He is anElectrical Engineerby training and hiscurrent interestsare using the tools

of technology foresight in emergingareas like renewable energy andsynthetic biology.

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