The Benefits and Danger of Bio-tinkering
Biotechnology has a mixed reputation. There is a good reason for that. We’re essentially tinkering with the source code of life. Biotechnology had humble beginnings, rooted in ancient agricultural practices. Selective breeding was our first venture into biotechnology. Every biological process we’ve developed, starting with fermentation, has furthered biotechnology’s reach. Think bread, cheese, and beer.
The discovery of DNA transformed biotechnology. It gave us a map to hack evolution. Today, we use our endless curiosity to experiment with gene manipulation in labs, where we cut, copy, and modify DNA with precision. Recently, the focus has turned to RNA, the powerful molecules that can switch DNA on or off. This has opened brand new scientific areas, especially in treating complex diseases like cancer.
Tinkering with DNA and the famous CRISPR has other promising areas. A favorite is the efforts to create plastic-eating bacteria, a possible cure for the growing environmental waste.
The opportunities of biotechnology are amazing but also risky. This target focus on to two key aspects: A. Keeping it safe (think of whatever happened or didn’t happen in Wuhan), and B. Sharing its benefits equitably (think of life-saving innovations like penicillin, insulin, and the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines).
So, keep the benefits coming, share them, and implement sensible guardrails.
Strengthen Biosafety and Distribute the Benefits of Biotechnology
Establish, strengthen capacity for, and implement in all countries, biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and measures for the handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits as set out in Article 19 of the Convention.