Responsible innovation in synthetic biology in response to COVID-19: the role of data positionality

Koen Bruynseels

doi:10.1007/s10676-020-09565-9

Abstract

Synthetic biology, as an engineering approach to biological systems, has the potential to disruptively innovate the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Data accessibility and differences in data-usage capabilities are important factors in shaping this innovation landscape. In this paper, the data that underpin synthetic biology responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed as positional information goods—goods whose value depends on exclusivity. The positionality of biological data impacts the ability to guide innovations toward societally preferred goals. From both an ethical and economic point of view, positionality can lead to suboptimal as well as beneficial situations. When aiming for responsible innovation (i.e. embedding societal deliberation in the innovation process), it is important to consider hurdles and facilitators in data access and use. Central governance and knowledge commons provide routes to mitigate the negative effects of data positionality.

Highlights

Synthetic biology is a bio-engineering field that pursues the data-driven design of biological systems (Freemont 2019)
The pace of synthetic biology innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. This dynamic is driven by significant progress in synthetic biology as well as by improvements in data sharing
The potential societal impact of synthetic biology innovations calls for ways in which to foster beneficial outcomes that resonate with societal values while avoiding potential negative effects

Summary

Introduction

Synthetic biology is a bio-engineering field that pursues the data-driven design of biological systems (Freemont 2019). Innovations need to align with values, such as privacy, access to good healthcare, and a fair distribution of derived benefits Guiding innovation toward such societally preferred goals is highly relevant in view of the deluge of innovations in synthetic biology and the strong moral load of data-driven innovations in healthcare (Bruynseels et al 2018). International initiatives recognized the need for improved data sharing, resulting in initiatives such as the establishment of GISAID, a platform for sharing influenza virus sequences and related epidemiological data (Bogner et al 2006) These cases testify to the fact that it is crucial to organize access to data in such a way that innovation toward societally preferred goals is stimulated while risks are mitigated. The role of data in COVID-19-related innovations in synthetic biology is used to illustrate data positionality and its repercussions for responsible innovation

Synthetic biology data as a positional good

Drives behind positional effects in biological information goods

Organizing responsible innovation in view of data positionality

Findings

Conclusion