The promise and perils of synthetic biology.

摘要: Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. See www.TheNewAtlantis.com for more information. Over the past fifty years, several pivotal advances have transformed life sciences, including discovery of structure DNA, deciphering genetic code, development recombinant DNA technology, and mapping human genome. Synthetic biology is another transformative innovation that will make it possible to build living machines from off-the-shelf chemical ingredients, employing many same strategies electrical engineers use computer chips. Drawing upon a set powerful techniques automated synthesis molecules their assembly into genes microbial genomes, synthetic envisions redesign natural biological systems greater efficiency, as well construction functional “genetic circuits” metabolic pathways practical purposes. Among potential applications this new field creation bioengineered microorganisms (and possibly other forms) can produce pharmaceuticals, detect toxic chemicals, break down pollutants, repair defective genes, destroy cancer cells, generate hydrogen postpetroleum economy. Although chiefly an engineering discipline, ability design construct simplified offers scientists useful way test understanding complex networks biomolecules mediate processes. Today, at roughly level molecular genetics was in midto late 1970s, some five years after invention recombinant-DNA technology. In June 2004, first international conference devoted field, “Synthetic Biology 1.0,” held Massachusetts Institute Technology (M.I.T.). The organizers