Synthetic biology, metaphors and responsibility

Carmen Mcleod,Brigitte Nerlich

doi:10.1186/s40504-017-0061-y

Carmen Mcleod, Brigitte Nerlich

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40504-017-0061-y

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Abstract

Metaphors are not just decorative rhetorical devices that make speech pretty. They are fundamental tools for thinking about the world and acting on the world. The language we use to make a better world matters; words matter; metaphors matter. Words have consequences - ethical, social and legal ones, as well as political and economic ones. They need to be used ‘responsibly’. They also need to be studied carefully – this is what we want to do through this editorial and the related thematic collection. In the context of synthetic biology, natural and social scientists have become increasingly interested in metaphors, a wave of interest that we want to exploit and amplify. We want to build on emerging articles and books on synthetic biology, metaphors of life and the ethical and moral implications of such metaphors. This editorial provides a brief introduction to synthetic biology and responsible innovation, as well as a comprehensive review of literature on the social, cultural and ethical impacts of metaphor use in genomics and synthetic biology. Our aim is to stimulate an interdisciplinary and international discussion on the impact that metaphors can have on science, policy and publics in the context of synthetic biology.

Highlights

During the twentieth century, the science of genetics grew exponentially in prominence
In 2003, scientists successfully ‘read’ the full human genome for the first time and new types of bioscience began to emerge, including synthetic biology. Scientists working in this new field were hailed as being able to read, but to ‘write’ and rewrite genetic and genomic information
We shall first briefly summarise the history of the terms ‘synthetic biology’ and ‘responsible innovation’; we provide an overview of research into metaphors in the context of genetics, genomics and synthetic biology and end with presenting some recent work on synthetic biology, metaphor and responsibility

Summary

Introduction

The science of genetics grew exponentially in prominence. In 2003, scientists successfully ‘read’ the full human genome for the first time and new types of bioscience began to emerge, including synthetic biology. Scientists working in this new field were hailed as being able to read, but to ‘write’ and rewrite genetic and genomic information. Related recent advances in ‘genome editing’ are accelerating developments in genomics and in synthetic biology. These changes in knowledge and understanding of biological life are transforming and even blurring lines between ‘nature’ and ‘culture’. Anthropologist Stefan Helmreich observes how conceptions of the biological have become intertwined with the social:

Objectives

Conclusion