Side Event

Synthetic Biology, Metagenomics and the next generation of digital biopiracy.

Organizer
Action group on Erosion Technology And Concentration

Date and Time
10 November 2009 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (WG ABS 8)

Synthetic Biology is the rational design and construction of new lifeforms from synthetic DNA using engineering principles. It is rapidly becoming a key tool for the energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industry to synthesize chemicals, biofuels, plastics and medicinal compounds. Unlike recombinant DNA which requires access to physical samples of DNA, Synthetic biologists acquire their genetic materials from digital libraries without material transfer agreements. Meanwhile the new field of metagenomics which samples the genomes of entire ecosystems is providing access to gene sequences without reference to specific organisms. Together the two fields enable efficient digital biopiracy undermining biodiversity-based livelihoods and circumventing ABS arrangements.