Human outreach: Wisdom of the Crowd

General overview

With respect to wisdom of the crowds we organized an evening in which people from different branches of society gathered to talk about synthetic biology in general and the application of synthetic biology in our project. The evening started off with a presentation. We began with a broad introduction about DNA and the translation of DNA into proteins. Then we introduced the crowd to the science of synthetic biology and what the possibilities are when modifying DNA. Build on this information we introduced them to our project. We explained that we created a bacteria with one extra protein that made the bacteria capable of detecting any molecule in its environment. Subsequently we presented our future perspectives of how the bacteria could be used in society.

After they had time to process this information, the crowd was divided into three smaller groups to discuss different application scenarios. Each of these scenarios was based on one of our applications. We asked the people to give their opinion about the use of GMOs under the given circumstances. Also we challenged them to come with different ways to overcome the given problems and for possible interventions that could be done to reduce the risks of using GMOs in the given scenarios.
We found that the opinions were divided when it came to the use of GMOs.

Discussing GMOs in the human body

The group considering the case where GMOs were used inside the human body was quite open minded to this idea. Nevertheless they emphasized that the bacteria should have a crucial role in treatment if it were to be prescribed. They opted that the advantages of using the GMO should outweigh the disadvantages. So if a patient is in a bad condition and the use of the GMO could help in treating the disease/reducing pain, it could be accepted. However they considered it unnecessarily risky to use GMOs solely for diagnosis.
In general they were not opposed to the idea of using living organisms in treatment. However they found that certain conditions should be met. First of all the device should be significantly tested and pass all the imposed examinations. If necessary a kill-switch should be added. If these requirements are met, than they would trust the opinion of the doctor subscribing them this specific therapy. Thereby they also referred to the use of E-numbers and bacteria in food. Which they considered potentially even more dangerous. All in all they would leave it to the patient to decide if he/she wants to make use of the GMOs or not.

Discussing GMOs to prevent the overusage of pesticides

The group considering a case where GMOs were used to treat a disease on plants were more reluctant to the use of GMOs. They found the step towards usage of genetically modified organisms outside the lab scary. Thereby they emphasized that they would be afraid that our device would be transformed into something potentially harmful. They stated that, if the GMOs were to be used outside the lab, they would give their preference to use inside the human body.

First of all they commented that, if our device were to be applied in the way we proposed, we would still make use of pesticides, which are not the most impeccable substances either. Therefore they would rather see a different solution to this problem. Also they stressed that the benefits of using the GMOs should outweigh the risk. For example: they value human lives more than money or comfort. The general idea behind their arguments was based on the fact that you should not use something, if you don’t know the consequences. And since the usage of GMOs in the environment could possibly affect all, also the people who are opposed to the utilization, they reject this idea. They would rather see a scenario where everyone can decide for themselves if they will get in touch with GMOs or not.

Discussing GMOs to detect diseases in cattle

Our final group studied the case of using GMOs to detect diseases in cattle. One could state that this group was most open-minded towards the application of GMOs. They even went beyond the idea of using GMOs for detection/treatment and stated that one could as well genetically enhance the cattle itself if we knew the causes of these diseases. Thereby they expressed that according to them it is the most important that there is transparency from the designer towards the public. But also there should be an open-mindedness of the audience towards the ideas of the designer.
The group did encounter some complications in the use of the bacteria as we proposed it. First of all they stated that the bacteria should be made harmless after usage. Therefore they proposed heating the mixture to a high temperature to kill bacteria.
Secondly, if the device were to be used by farmers themselves, this would mean that we would have to trust their judgement. Maybe, if it could bring great economic problems to the farmer, he or she might hide the presence of a certain infection. In that case it would be useful if some external authority judged the results from a test. Also they further explored our idea by thinking about the development of a chip that could be put inside the animal to constantly monitor the presence of certain diseases.

Discussing the rol of synthetic biology in society

After the discussions in smaller groups, we opened a big discussion about the use of synthetic biology in society. Thereby we asked them what they would think is necessary to bridge the gap between the researcher and the society. One of the solutions that was opted, further explored the concept of transparency. People proposed to make schooling of the public (and government) better on one side and suggested to make explanation and openness better at the end of the researcher. Thereby they saw a critical role for the media. They supported eduction via the use of newspapers and renown programmes in the Netherlands such as De Wereld Draait Door.

Another conclusion was that it makes a big difference how the device is presented. They stated that the term “genetical enhancement” sounds much less repelling than “genetical manipulation”. Also the focus may be shifted from only risks to a more general view that also emphasizes the benefits of using genetically engineered organisms. The researcher should make the consumer feel safe to use a product. This could, for example, be done through extensive testing and the addition of a safety system.
Thereby they affirmed that the debate about this topic should be kept going. We should not force anybody to accept the use of GMOs, but people should also not hinder development in this area because they don’t like it. Either side should respect each other’s opinion.

Human outreach: approaching the future generation

Debating ethics and synthetic biology with future biomedical engineering students

To approach the next generation of chemical biologists, we presented about iGEM on the matchings-days of the Technical University Eindhoven (TU/e). Therefore we prepared a talk about first of all synthetic biology, but also about what the iGEM-competition encompasses. We presented several projects that have been done in the iGEM-competition the last couple of years (Groningen 2012, Münich 2013 and Wageningen 2014). Also we introduced them to last year’s project of the TU/e and described to them how we will take this project as a starting point for our own project.

Ethics forms an important aspect of our project and therefore we encouraged the students to take part in a discussion about the use of GMOs in the human body. Therefore we posed them several questions, for example: ‘Should it be possible to tamper life, with the help of synthetic biology?’, ‘Would you like to have a GMO in your body, if it’s for a good purpose?’ and ‘Would you mind if a GMO gets into the environment?’. The students had to respond to these questions with red of green cards. After every question we asked if they could argue their choice and discussed these arguments with each other.
The days were successful and it was nice to hear the ideas and arguments from future students.

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