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Revision as of 13:28, 13 September 2015

"What I cannot create I do not understand."
- Richard Feynmann

Awareness

In our opinion it is very important that synthetic biology gets attention in the public. People should talk about synthetic biology and learn how useful it can be. To reach as many people as possible and explain them the benefits of synthetic biology we published an article about our education project in a regional newspaper. This article is not only about the human practices education project, but also about what synthetic biology is and how it can be used to help people. We hope to decrease prejudices people might have against synthetic biology, and to enhance acceptance. A second article was published in the ETH-student magazine, which reaches thousands of students of various disciplines. That way we hope to show them what iGEM is about and to motivate them for a possible future participation.

Summary

To get the publics attention we did the following:

  • We published an article about our human practices school project in the newspaper. This article also explains what synthetic biology is and why it can be so useful.
  • Together with the team of EPF Lausanne wie did a survey in the streets of basel and asked people to tell us their opinion about synthetic biology.
  • We published an article (link) in the ETH student magazine polykum which reaches a lot of students of various disciplines.

Engaging the public with EPFL

Survey Summary

In collaboration with EPFL we interviewed a total of 70 persons in the two major Swiss cities Lausanne and Basel. The following questions were asked in order to estimate the public understanding and appreciation of Synthetic biology. Results are displayed as percentages.

  • 1) Have you ever heard of the term 'Synthetic Biology'?
  • 2) According to the given definition and examples, what do you think is the public attitude towards this scientific discipline?
  • 3) Do you think there is sufficient interaction between Scientists and the general public in Switzerland?
  • 4) Does this interaction go both ways?
  • 5) Who has the ethical responsibility with respect to scientific experiments?
  • 6a) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support algae that produce biofuel?
  • 6b) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support bacteria that produce electricity?
  • 6c) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support bacteria that detect lactose?
  • 6d) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support cereal plants that adapt efficiently to climate conditions?
  • 6e) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support bacteria capable of detecting and degrading pollutants in lakes and rivers?
  • 6f) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support bacteria that attract and kill parasites of bees?
  • 6g) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support modified human cells that detect and kill cancer cells?
  • 6h) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support the use of modified bacteria for medical diagnosis? (ETHZ project)
  • 6i) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support modifying human embryonic cells to fight genetic diseases?
  • 6j) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support bacteria that produce plastic materials?
  • 6k) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support modifying bacteria to create a living Minesweeper game?
  • 6l) As an application of synthetic biology, would you support an art exhibition featuring multicolored bacteria?
  • 7) Of which type are your preoccupations with respect to our project and its applications?
  • 8) What is worse: A false medical positive (erroneously diagnosing cancer in a healthy individual) or a false medical negative (failing to detect cancer in a diseased individual upon testing)?
  • 9) What is your general opinion on genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Newspaper Articles

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