Side Event

Synthetic Biology and the Biomass Grab - the implications for indigenous knowledge, livelihoods and practice

Organizer
Action group on Erosion Technology and Concentration

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

Meeting
Sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (WG8J 6)

Synthetic Biology is the rational design and construction of new artificial lifeforms using synthetic DNA. It is rapidly becoming a key tool for the energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industry to cheaply transform sugar and cellulose into bulk chemicals, biofuels and other industrial compounds. Along with forest, energy and agribusiness interests the synthetic biology industry is now setting its sights on commodifying the 76% of global biomass not already consumed by industrial civilization as the basis of a brave new 'post-petroleum economy'. meanwhile the same players are beginning to artificially synthesize natural compounds en masse undercutting traditional knowledge and livelihoods. This side event will explore what the hi tech 'new bioeconomy' means for traditional bio-based economies.