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Human Practices

Introduction

This year human practices project focuses on public perception. Although the technical aspects of synthetic biology are important, spanning controversies on sociotechnical implications, biosecurity & biosafety concerns, ethics and fundamental questions about what applications of synthetic biology would advance societal goals and be considered sustainable are ignored. There are three impressions on synthetic biology, which bring us much concerns. People think synthetic biology is complex, risky and uncertain. We adopt a problem-solving approach in dealing with complexity i.e. debating; and an issue-based approach in dealing with risk and uncertainty.

iGEM Biosensors

In the past few years, plentiful participants in iGEM competition were constructing biosensors by genetic engineering. These biosensors are targeting on a huge range of analytes with the use of various biocatalysts.

Graph 1. Statistics on iGEM projects working on biosensor, 2012-14

Exploratory Research

The primary focus of HKUST-Rice 2015 iGEM Team is to develop an NPK microbial biosensor to detect bioavailable NPK concentrations in soil, thus monitoring soil quality. It is believed that the application can be far beyond agricultural purposes, such as in water quality surveillance or sewage management. The team has no plan to reverse the preliminary design of the NPK microbial biosensor; this notwithstanding, the human practices team explores further including opinions from stakeholders who require soil or water management.

More information on Exploratory Research.

Result

Graph 2.The paradigm of the interviewees’ perceptions on the in-field application of NPK microbial sensor

The paradigm above illustrates interviewees’ perceptions on the in-field use of NPK microbial biosensors in their field (Graph 2).

More information on Exploratory Research – Result.

Bioethical Debate