Is Public Engagement in Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology Improving Research Outcomes?
- 1 February 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology
- Vol. 27 (2), 47-50
- https://doi.org/10.1089/omi.2022.0181
Abstract
Engaging diverse publics on the acceptability of large-scale biology applications such as gene drives is held in high regard by the international research community. The development of gene drives to suppress invasive and pest species and improvements to the sustainability of food systems are examples of integrative biology applications in engineering and ecology with the potential for large-scale research impact. Despite a global collective intention to ensure disruptive technologies are in broad alignment with wider social and public values, evidence of applied research organizations integrating the knowledge acquired from social research is hard to find. Concrete mechanisms to ensure public perspectives affect science decision-making are yet to emerge. We offer avenues for making inroads in what we identify as a remaining gap in public engagement research in the fields of synthetic biology and bioengineering.Keywords
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Towards inclusive social appraisal: risk, participation and democracy in governance of synthetic biologyBMC Proceedings, 2018
- The roles of ethics in gene drive research and governanceJournal of Responsible Innovation, 2018
- Why Public Engagement Matters in ScienceTrends in Biotechnology, 2017
- From Precaution to Peril: Public Relations Across Forty Years of Genetic EngineeringEndeavour, 2016
- Synthetic biology and the prospects for responsible innovationEssays in Biochemistry, 2016
- Societal impact of synthetic biology: responsible research and innovation (RRI)Essays in Biochemistry, 2016
- Societal aspects of synthetic biology: organisms and applications matter!Journal of Responsible Innovation, 2015
- The Construction of Imaginaries of the Public as a Threat to Synthetic BiologyScience as Culture, 2014
- Reflecting on public engagement and science policyPublic Understanding of Science, 2014
- Is there convergence in convergence research? an overview of empirical studies on policy convergenceJournal of European Public Policy, 2005