bioethics.gov write-in!
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Bryan Bishop
Jul 8, 2010, 7:21:54 PM7/8/10
to diybio, kan...@gmail.com
So,
After watching the stream today on the U.S. President's Committee on Bioethics, I am convinced that if the diybio community would come together to write a small email to the Bioethics Commission that we will be heard. In particular, there were multiple times when the topic of garage biotech was prominently featured, but no mention of slightly more structured groups-- such as diybio as a public community of open source innovation enthusiasts and makers.
Furthermore I also suspect that there's a large chance that anything we do say, as a community, even in part or whole, will make the way to in...@bioethics.gov if we so choose. There are of course alternative routes, because of helpful organizations currently on the mailing list, and other institutional ties that we all have. I'd say much higher than 20% or 30% if we had something interesting to say. I suspect that with the support of Markus Schmidt et al., speaking at the commission tomorrow, that what we say can find its way into the commission's report- which is undoubtedly going to be a lengthy document. By the mandate, it is to be exhaustive of the different communities and topics that have been developing: synthetic biology, stem cell technology, biotechnology, garage biotech, innovation, patent reform and intellectual property, etc. The committee is also authorized to commission studies, reports, etc., and our view of the situation as a community is unique.
But it doesn't have to be anything important that we say- except perhaps a congratulatory statement on the commission, or whatever the typical political term for this would be. So! What are your thoughts on the bioethics of diybio, biohacking, as it applies to the commision's mandate? What would you say if you were there? This has the potential to help shape the political environment in which synthetic biology- as well as biology in general- exists within, and we in particular have this unique chance for being heard.
http://bioethics.gov/about/creation.html
If you could say exactly one sentence to President Barack Obama- about DIYbio, biohacking, garage biotech, open source hardware- what would you say?
- Bryan
http://heybryan.org/
1 512 203 0507
After watching the stream today on the U.S. President's Committee on Bioethics, I am convinced that if the diybio community would come together to write a small email to the Bioethics Commission that we will be heard. In particular, there were multiple times when the topic of garage biotech was prominently featured, but no mention of slightly more structured groups-- such as diybio as a public community of open source innovation enthusiasts and makers.
Furthermore I also suspect that there's a large chance that anything we do say, as a community, even in part or whole, will make the way to in...@bioethics.gov if we so choose. There are of course alternative routes, because of helpful organizations currently on the mailing list, and other institutional ties that we all have. I'd say much higher than 20% or 30% if we had something interesting to say. I suspect that with the support of Markus Schmidt et al., speaking at the commission tomorrow, that what we say can find its way into the commission's report- which is undoubtedly going to be a lengthy document. By the mandate, it is to be exhaustive of the different communities and topics that have been developing: synthetic biology, stem cell technology, biotechnology, garage biotech, innovation, patent reform and intellectual property, etc. The committee is also authorized to commission studies, reports, etc., and our view of the situation as a community is unique.
But it doesn't have to be anything important that we say- except perhaps a congratulatory statement on the commission, or whatever the typical political term for this would be. So! What are your thoughts on the bioethics of diybio, biohacking, as it applies to the commision's mandate? What would you say if you were there? This has the potential to help shape the political environment in which synthetic biology- as well as biology in general- exists within, and we in particular have this unique chance for being heard.
http://bioethics.gov/about/creation.html
If you could say exactly one sentence to President Barack Obama- about DIYbio, biohacking, garage biotech, open source hardware- what would you say?
- Bryan
http://heybryan.org/
1 512 203 0507
William Heath
Jul 8, 2010, 7:47:18 PM7/8/10
to diy...@googlegroups.com, kan...@gmail.com
Here is what I would say:
Life is no longer considered life in the classical sense. Life it turns out is really just software (DNA/proteins) running on a computer (cell) with an operating system that governs how the DNA program should run. As a result, synthetic biology is a sub domain of computer science. All DNA and proteins should be governed by the exact same laws as software. Cells should be governed by the same laws that apply to computer hardware. By doing this innovation will be encouraged and progress will occur in a transparent safe manner the way software works now.
-Tim
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cluckj
Jul 8, 2010, 8:48:29 PM7/8/10
to DIYbio
Great idea -- I think that making DIY Bio known to them would be of
great benefit to the community, and to the public at large. I agree
that it doesn't have to be a sort of "mission statement" or anything
like that, just something that says that people in the DIY Bio
community are interested in, and want to take part in, the discussions
and deliberations being made during the bioethics committee meeting.
Jon
On Jul 8, 7:21 pm, Bryan Bishop <kanz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So,
>
> After watching the stream today on the U.S. President's Committee on
> Bioethics, I am convinced that if the diybio community would come together
> to write a small email to the Bioethics Commission that we will be heard. In
> particular, there were multiple times when the topic of garage biotech was
> prominently featured, but no mention of slightly more structured groups--
> such as diybio as a public community of open source innovation enthusiasts
> and makers.
>
> Furthermore I also suspect that there's a large chance that anything we do
> say, as a community, even in part or whole, will make the way to
> i...@bioethics.gov if we so choose. There are of course alternative routes,
great benefit to the community, and to the public at large. I agree
that it doesn't have to be a sort of "mission statement" or anything
like that, just something that says that people in the DIY Bio
community are interested in, and want to take part in, the discussions
and deliberations being made during the bioethics committee meeting.
Jon
On Jul 8, 7:21 pm, Bryan Bishop <kanz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So,
>
> After watching the stream today on the U.S. President's Committee on
> Bioethics, I am convinced that if the diybio community would come together
> to write a small email to the Bioethics Commission that we will be heard. In
> particular, there were multiple times when the topic of garage biotech was
> prominently featured, but no mention of slightly more structured groups--
> such as diybio as a public community of open source innovation enthusiasts
> and makers.
>
> Furthermore I also suspect that there's a large chance that anything we do
> say, as a community, even in part or whole, will make the way to
> because of helpful organizations currently on the mailing list, and other
> institutional ties that we all have. I'd say much higher than 20% or 30% if
> we had something interesting to say. I suspect that with the support of
> Markus Schmidt et al., speaking at the commission tomorrow, that what we say
> can find its way into the commission's report- which is undoubtedly going to
> be a lengthy document. By the mandate, it is to be exhaustive of the
> different communities and topics that have been developing: synthetic
> biology, stem cell technology, biotechnology, garage biotech, innovation,
> patent reform and intellectual property, etc. The committee is also
> authorized to commission studies, reports, etc., and our view of the
> situation as a community is unique.
>
> But it doesn't have to be anything important that we say- except perhaps a
> congratulatory statement on the commission, or whatever the typical
> political term for this would be. So! What are your thoughts on the
> bioethics of diybio, biohacking, as it applies to the commision's mandate?
> What would you say if you were there? This has the potential to help shape
> the political environment in which synthetic biology- as well as biology in
> general- exists within, and we in particular have this unique chance for
> being heard.
>
> http://bioethics.gov/about/creation.html
>
> If you could say exactly one sentence to President Barack Obama- about
> DIYbio, biohacking, garage biotech, open source hardware- what would you
> say?
>
> - Bryanhttp://heybryan.org/1 512 203 0507begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1 512 203 0507 end_of_the_skype_highlighting> institutional ties that we all have. I'd say much higher than 20% or 30% if
> we had something interesting to say. I suspect that with the support of
> Markus Schmidt et al., speaking at the commission tomorrow, that what we say
> can find its way into the commission's report- which is undoubtedly going to
> be a lengthy document. By the mandate, it is to be exhaustive of the
> different communities and topics that have been developing: synthetic
> biology, stem cell technology, biotechnology, garage biotech, innovation,
> patent reform and intellectual property, etc. The committee is also
> authorized to commission studies, reports, etc., and our view of the
> situation as a community is unique.
>
> But it doesn't have to be anything important that we say- except perhaps a
> congratulatory statement on the commission, or whatever the typical
> political term for this would be. So! What are your thoughts on the
> bioethics of diybio, biohacking, as it applies to the commision's mandate?
> What would you say if you were there? This has the potential to help shape
> the political environment in which synthetic biology- as well as biology in
> general- exists within, and we in particular have this unique chance for
> being heard.
>
> http://bioethics.gov/about/creation.html
>
> If you could say exactly one sentence to President Barack Obama- about
> DIYbio, biohacking, garage biotech, open source hardware- what would you
> say?
>
Phil
Jul 9, 2010, 12:15:24 PM7/9/10
to DIYbio
William Whitman estimated that, every year, about 10^30 new bacteria
are born. Each one of those new bacteria is an uncontrolled genetic
experiment, altering genes and taking new genes from its neighbors at
random. If every person in the world created one new organism per
day, without any precautions, the risk of accidentally creating
something dangerous would still be insignificant next to the risk of
something dangerous being born by chance in your refrigerator.
are born. Each one of those new bacteria is an uncontrolled genetic
experiment, altering genes and taking new genes from its neighbors at
random. If every person in the world created one new organism per
day, without any precautions, the risk of accidentally creating
something dangerous would still be insignificant next to the risk of
something dangerous being born by chance in your refrigerator.
Brian Degger
Jul 9, 2010, 12:42:08 PM7/9/10
to diy...@googlegroups.com
What a great illustration of risk.
Thanks
Brian
Thanks
Brian
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Jacob
Jul 14, 2010, 11:54:58 AM7/14/10
to DIYbio
If I had 1 sentence to talk to the president about diybio, I'd cheat
and use 7.
Do realize that a bioterror threat from diybio is silly.
Do realize that a cell is not a computer. We know how computers work,
from the atomic level on up because they are a human invention.
We do not know how cells work.So think twice before restricting
research and development with things like patents. Because patents are
for
inventions not discoveries.
And lastly do promote diybio as a great tool to train the next
generation of scientists.
-Cheers,
Jacob Shiach
http://opensciencefund.org
and use 7.
Do realize that a bioterror threat from diybio is silly.
Do realize that a cell is not a computer. We know how computers work,
from the atomic level on up because they are a human invention.
We do not know how cells work.So think twice before restricting
research and development with things like patents. Because patents are
for
inventions not discoveries.
And lastly do promote diybio as a great tool to train the next
generation of scientists.
-Cheers,
Jacob Shiach
http://opensciencefund.org
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