Synthetic Biology Governance

Synthetic biology aims to exercise control in the design, characterization and construction of living organisms and biological parts. No longer the domain of science fiction literature, it has progressed by leaps and bounds in recent years, accompanied by great promises and grave risks. Potential positive impacts of this new multidisciplinary area of research include development of agricultural crops with improved resistance to environmental stresses and genetic control of disease vectors, such as mosquitoes. At the same time, it involves not only environmental, socio-economic and security risks, but also ethical concerns. The lecture will focus on the current state of international law for the governance of synthetic biology, including an analysis of regulatory gaps and normative challenges. It will also reflect on broader questions on governance of science and technology, including: justice-related issues regarding fair distribution of risks and benefits; equitable access to technology; and respect for human rights and societal values.

Saluti introduttivi:

• Paolo Carta, Direttore del Collegio Clesio

Relatore:

• Elissavet Tsioumani

Elissavet (Elsa) Tsioumani (PhD, LL.M) is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at the School of International Studies in the University of Trento. Her research project focuses on the law and governance of synthetic biology. Elsa is an international environmental lawyer, and has been following intergovernmental negotiations on the environment for more than 20 years, as a writer for Earth Negotiations Bulletin. She has authored extensively on international environmental law and policy, particularly with regard to biodiversity, genetic resource governance, indigenous peoples’ rights, emerging technologies, and land, food and agriculture. Her publications include the open-access monograph Fair and Equitable Benefit-sharing in Agriculture: Reinventing agrarian justice (Routledge 2020).

.