TODD KUIKEN, “HOW DIY BIO GETS AHEAD ON ETHICS, BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY”

Todd Kuiken (Senior Research Scholar Genetic Engineering and Society Center, NC State University) presents:

“HOW DIY BIO GETS AHEAD ON ETHICS, BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY”

Lunch workshop, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, Cone 112, 11:30-12:45 (note changed start time from last year!).

Free and open to the public – but please RSVP Here by Oct. 28 so we can order food!

Abstract: “Amateurs Are New Fear in Creating Mutant Virus;” “DIY Gene Editing: Someone is Going to Get Hurt;” “In Attics and Closets, Biohackers Discover Their Inner Frankenstein.” These are the types of headlines the public reads about the Do-It-Yourself Biology movement. Read aloud they sound like the opening trailers for horror movies. But for the last 8 years I’ve been involved with the Do-It-Yourself Biology movement I’ve discovered that the community has been extremely proactive in addressing safety, security and ethical concerns. In fact, there are lessons that the broader scientific community can learn from their work. Have there been missteps? Stunts? Individuals that spark controversy?  Of course. But the story that is rarely told, are the hundreds if not thousands of individuals that have been exposed to biology, biotechnology and science who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. This talk will discuss the policies and practices the DIYbio community has already established to address biosafety, biosecurity and ethical issues that arise from the democratization of biology.  In addition, I will discuss our current project where we are traversing the globe to visit community labs in order to take account of the progress the community has made in terms of numbers, technical ability, and the programs and processes they have established in relation to education, ethics, biosafety and biosecurity 

Prof. Kuiken appears as part of our series on “Biohacking,” cosponsored by NC Biotech.

For a series flyer, click here.