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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Synthetic Biology and International Regulatory Law

Birhan Getie, Berhanu Andualem

Annual Research & Review in Biology · pp. 39–53 · Published 30 Dec 2023

10.9734/arrb/2023/v38i1130617

Abstract

For the purpose of constructing or generating new life forms, synthetic biology is a multidisciplinary field that blends biology with engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. Making Biobricks, designing metabolic pathways, whole-genome synthesis, protocell engineering, and Xenobiology are the primary synthetic biology techniques. Synthetic biology spans a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, energy, chemicals, biosensors, and environmental protection. Although it has various uses, there are risk issues with biosafety, biosecurity, and bioethics. Strong regulatory rules must be developed in order to increase the risks associated with sedentary behavior. The Cartagena protocol recognizes some synthetic biology applications and outcomes as living modified organisms. The protocol's advance informed agreement governs the trans-boundary transfer of living, synthetically modified organisms. Dual-use technologies are governed by laws agreed under the Biological Weapons Convention and relate to synthetic biology products. Synthetic biology also makes use of the Nagoya Protocol, trade-relevant IP rights, and other legislative frameworks. However, because synthetic biology is a young field of study, there are no explicit regulations governing it in any way under international law. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the regulatory regulations governing synthetic biology and to describe the applications and hazards of synthetic biology. 

Biobricks biofuel biosensor cartagena protocol genome synthesis pharmaceutical product synthetic biology xenobiology

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Cited by 4

Development of Legal Regulation of Synthetic Biology: Integration and Legal Aspect

E. K. Nechaeva, M. V. Nekoteneva, A. V. Kubyshkin · Lex Russica · 2025

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