July 28, 2011

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment and Its Application to Synthetic Biology Applications

A workshop was held to test a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment framework for its ability to identify important research questions to support future ecological risk assessments of synthetic biology applications, using a case study of cyanobacteria engineered to produce industrial products. It brought together engineers and ecologists in a one-day workshop to systematically consider: 1)possible pathways of entry of these cyanobacteria into the environment, 2) what organisms or entities might be exposed, and 3) potential environmental impacts from such exposure. Anticipated products from the workshop include:

• a list of priority ecological impacts-related research questions,
• potential early stage risk management actions, and
• a better informed, interdisciplinary community of scientists and stakeholders

Workshop materials are available below:

Background Materials

Notes from Workshop

Research Needs