April 8, 2016

The Synthetic Biology Project at the Wilson Center: Eight Years of Engagement and Analysis

The Synthetic Biology Project was launched in 2008 to ensure that, as synthetic biology moves forward, public confidence in the science and applications remains high, policymakers are informed, and any risks are minimized. To achieve that goal, the project worked with the scientific community in both academia and industry, and with stakeholders in government, NGOs, the business community, and the larger public.

What we accomplished:

- Our data helped map an emerging field for a wide variety of stakeholders, including policymakers, the press, and industry.

- Our project was often the first to anticipate, identify, and address emerging risks.

- We identified inadequacies in the existing regulatory system and ways to close gaps.

- The project developed a comprehensive understanding of public perceptions of synthetic biology and associated media coverage.