Why is synthetic biology important?

In Regenesis the authors ask, “What should we do?” How can we balance economic growth and a sustainable environment? How can we outsmart viruses? In an attempt to answer these questions, Church and Regis argue that synthetic biology is an industrial revolution with the potential to change life as we know it and discuss its possibilities. Among these exciting possibilities are creating novel materials and biofuels, and providing a better understanding of evolution and complex diseases leading to new drugs and vaccines.

For me, reading Regenesis raised several questions. In order to better understand the barriers scientists face in their research, I posed these questions to George Church, author and Harvard Medical School Geneticist.

View the original article here: Why is synthetic biology important?

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