Difference between revisions of "Team:NTU-Singapore/Practices"

 
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<li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Team">Team</a></li>
 
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                                <li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Attributions">Attributions</a></li>
 
<li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Project">Project</a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Practices">Human Practices</a></li>
 
<li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Practices">Human Practices</a></li>
 
<li><a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:NTU-Singapore/Modeling">Modeling</a></li>
 
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<h5>Industry Interviews</h5>
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<p class="subtitle" style="font-style:italic">Industrial Waste</p>
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<p class="explainBox">As our project concerns waste to energy conversion, we interviewed two chemical companies and one food company to understand more about the waste generated in their respective industry and how they are disposed. We also discussed potential niche for synthetic biology in the process.</p>
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<h5>Public Perception</h5>
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<p class="subtitle" style="font-style:italic">Genetically Modified Organism</p>
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<p class="explainBoxHP">GMO in Singapore is not an issue as controversial as that in other industrial countries, so this <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/ed/Public_Perception_Towards_Genetically_Modified_Organisms.pdf">survey</a> delves into the phenomenon. Other than providing us with an <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/8c/Public_Perception_towards_Genetically_Modified_Organisms_%28GMO%29_in_Singapore.pdf">insight</a> into the landscape of Singaporean's perception on GMO, this survey also prepares us for other Human Practices activities.</p>
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<h5>Policy Advisors</h5>
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                        <p class="subtitle" style="font-style:italic">What do experts say?</p>
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<p class="explainBox">Having conducted the survey on the public perception towards GMO, we would like to know if policy advisers in Singapore are aware of some of the concerns reflected and how they interpret the findings. Thus we interviewed two policy advisors.</p>
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<h5>Outreach</h5>
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<p class="subtitle" style="font-style:italic;">Inform the Young</p>
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<div>
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<p class="explainBox">We held a talk at River Valley High School because as researchers we are responsible to reach out to the public and inform them about synthetic biology, particularly at school as students are the future of our nation. By piquing their interest in synthetic biology, perhaps they would make great advancements in this field.</p>
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<h5>Industry Interviews: industrial waste</h5><br>
 
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<p class="subtitle explain">We did interviews with representatives at Inventa Technologies and Eastman Chemical Company. Inventa Technologies is specialized in the development and commercialization of new process technologies. They are also working on the improvement and optimization of existing chemical and biochemical processes with the aim to increase yield and conversion to make systems more economic while protecting the environment. Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products, specialty chemicals, and fibers that are found in products people use every day.
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<p class="subtitle explain">We interviewed representatives of Inventa Technologies and Eastman Chemical Company. Inventa Technologies is specialized in the development and commercialization of new process technologies. They are also working on the improvement and optimization of existing chemical and biochemical processes with the aim to increase yield and conversion to make systems more economic while protecting the environment. Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products, specialty chemicals, and fibers that are found in products people use every day.
 
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Interview representatives from Inventa Technologies and Eastman Chemical Company
 
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We also interviewed the CTO&CRO of Oceanus Group, Mr. Matthew Tan. Oceanus Group is a company focusing on abalone production and abalone processing and distribution. It is currently the world largest land-based producer of abalone. And it is also a SGX-listed company.
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<b>1. Can you share with us the typical types of waste that is generated by your company?</b>
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<br>
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The main waste that is generated in my company would be the guts of abalone.
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<b>2. How does your company manage its waste?</b>
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For the guts of the abalone (food waste), they will be collected by the waste collector. We pay a certain fee for the waste collector to collect the waste. I know that some companies, they buy these food wastes to make compost for anaerobic digestion, etc. As for the abalone shells, we will sell them to companies. They will extract pearls from the shells which can be used to make pearl powder for facial products.
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<b>3. Our project is on engineering the metabolism of Shewanella bacteria for enhanced performance in microbial fuel cells. We were thinking of using wastes as an alternative carbon source for the cells. What do you think of using genetically engineered organisms to treat chemical waste?</b>
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<br>
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I think it’s fantastic. However, studies have to be made to find out whether there is an impact on bacterial stability when these bacteria are released into the wild. Bacteria regulate important processes, such as nitrification and denitrification, thus if these processes are affected, it will be very bad news. Also, your team should find out what is the regulation of genetically modified organisms in Singapore.
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<b>4. Shewanella bacteria have the potential to treat waste and produce electricity in the process. Do you think this sounds appealing to the industry? Will your company welcome this alternative approach to treat its waste?</b>
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<br>
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Yes, it is appealing. And yes, we will welcome this approach, but only if these bacteria do not affect the stability of the ecosystem, as I mentioned earlier.
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<b>5. What will your company look out for when considering the adoption of this particular method of waste disposure? (e.g costs, environmental effects)</b>
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<br>
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First and foremost, it would be the ethics issue that we discussed previously. That is, ensuring that the bacteria released into the environment will not affect any natural processes. Secondly, this method has to be cost effective. What I like about this method is that instead of using heat or chemicals to dispose of the waste, this method is natural.
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<h5>MR-1 growth in the presence of heavy metal</h5>
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<p class="subtitle explain">As part of our effort to understand the waste generated in various industries and the feasibility of applying <i>Shewanella oneisensis</i> MR-1 for the waste to energy conversion, we did some preliminary testing to explore how the heavy metals, typical industry waste, may impede the growth of MR-1. Detailed experiment results can be found <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/c/ca/MR-1_growth_in_heavy_metal.pdf">here</a>.</p>
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<p class="subtitle explain">In contrast to the situation in the US and Europe, Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seems to be a much less concerned topic in Singapore. Few news coverage have we observed in the city state, let alone public debate. As the government takes a liberal stance on the issue, generally regarding GMO as safe as their natural counterpart, we want to find out how informed the citizens are about the GMO and controversies surrounding it. So we came up with this <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/ed/Public_Perception_Towards_Genetically_Modified_Organisms.pdf">survey</a> and received more than 130 responses from Singapore residents. The analyses and findings can be found <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/8c/Public_Perception_towards_Genetically_Modified_Organisms_%28GMO%29_in_Singapore.pdf"> here </a>. This survey is intended not only to provide us with an insight into the landscape of Singaporean's perception on GMO, but also to help us prepare for other Human Practices activities, such as consultation with policy advisers and outreach to the public.    
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<h5>Policy advisors</h5>
 
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<p class="subtitle explain">Our survey has revealed many intriguing stances of the general public in Singapore. For example, on the one hand people seem to trust government's judgement that GMO is safe; on the other hand, people hesitate to purchase GMO products and question if regulation of GMO is good enough in Singapore. With the interesting voices, we approached <b>professor Peter Droge</b>, who is also the <b>Chairman of Subcommittee on
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Agriculture-related GMOs, Genetic Modification Advisory Committee</b>. The manuscript of the interview is summarized below. 
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<b>1. One interesting result from our research is that although people say that they are generally confident in the safety and willing to support the development of GMO products, they prefer not to purchase GMO products, especially genetically modified food (GMF). What do you think is this contradictory result? In your opinion, what is the best way to make people feel more comfortable about consuming GMO product as it has become an increasingly important part of our lives?</b>
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<br>
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This is an interesting question for which I have no real answer. I think it is due to a psychological effect whereby people generally prefer the old over something new, no matter how safe it is. In this case, GM food is still rather new on the market. There is also a "problem" with false and overblown reports that seemingly have shown the "danger"of GMF. The only thing in my opinion that will change the bias is continued eductation and transparency regarding the potential dangers that GM food pose to the consumer. Also, what may need to be improved is the way to inform the public how GMO and GMF is being evaluated.
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<b>2. Safety is always the largest concern about GMOs. Most people are worried that GMF may have potential negative effects on health and other GMOs might pose threats to the environment. What do you think of these responses and is there any scientific evidences supporting/contradicting to these concerns? In your opinion, what is the major safety concern of GMF and GMOs? It will be very helpful if you can give some examples.</b>
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<br>
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Of course, neg effect on health is the biggest concern. That is why GMF and GMO from which GMF is derived are thoroughly tested. As far as I know, there is not a single serious scientific publication, showing that consumption GMF is posing a health risk. What is, of course, a major issue is allergic reactions that can be caused by components in GMF which are not present in non-GMF. Allergens like those found in peanuts are an example. The evaluation of GMF before they are put on the market substantially reduce these risks in many countries (although different countries have different regulations and some do not even have any yet); but, of course, there will never be 100% safety in life.
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<br></br>
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The negative impact on the environment and, through that, on health is another matter. This is not directly due to GMO or GMF, but rather due to the cultivation of GMO. The recent Monsanto herbicide case is an example. I am not in a position at this moment to judge the severity of these concerns and would like to ask you to review the available info online.
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<br></br>
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<b>3. A considerably large portion of the public has shown some concerns about the regulation of GMO products here in Singapore. In your opinion, is GMO products under tight regulation in Singapore? How is the regulation here comparing to the ones in other countries? Could you please give an simple overview of the regulation policies that we have to guarantee the safety of the release and use of GMO products here in Singapore?</b>
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<br>
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This is a complex question. Yes, GMO products are under tight regulation here in Singapore. This is ultimately under the control of AVA and there are strict guidelines to follow. I recommend you look at the GMAC website and, if something is not clear from there, please contact the GMAC secretary.
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Latest revision as of 01:54, 14 November 2015

NTU SG iGEM 2015




Human Practices

Industry Interviews

Industrial Waste

As our project concerns waste to energy conversion, we interviewed two chemical companies and one food company to understand more about the waste generated in their respective industry and how they are disposed. We also discussed potential niche for synthetic biology in the process.

Details
Public Perception

Genetically Modified Organism

GMO in Singapore is not an issue as controversial as that in other industrial countries, so this survey delves into the phenomenon. Other than providing us with an insight into the landscape of Singaporean's perception on GMO, this survey also prepares us for other Human Practices activities.

Details
Policy Advisors

What do experts say?

Having conducted the survey on the public perception towards GMO, we would like to know if policy advisers in Singapore are aware of some of the concerns reflected and how they interpret the findings. Thus we interviewed two policy advisors.

Details
Outreach

Inform the Young

We held a talk at River Valley High School because as researchers we are responsible to reach out to the public and inform them about synthetic biology, particularly at school as students are the future of our nation. By piquing their interest in synthetic biology, perhaps they would make great advancements in this field.

Details