Part of: Prelims and GS-III Science and technology
Context: The 70-page ‘compilation’ document was recently released by the central government.
The government is working on a national policy on synthetic biology which is an emerging science that deals with engineering life forms for a wide range of applications from making designer medicines to foods.
Key takeaways
The document lays out the state of synthetic biology internationally with respect to research and development and the involvement of the private sector, globally, in dealing with synthetic biology.
As part of the 12th Five-Year Plan, India had set up a task force on systems biology and synthetic biology research in 2011.
This body underlined the potential benefits from synthetic biotechnology in biofuels, bioremediation, biosensors, food and health.
It also strongly recommended for this technology.
However, Parliament is yet to clear the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013, that could have included framework for synthetic biology.
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology refers to the science of using genetic sequencing, editing, and modification to create unnatural organisms or organic molecules that can function in living systems.
It enables scientists to design and synthesise new sequences of DNA from scratch.
It is also seen as one of the top 10 breakthrough technologies as part of the “new industrial revolution” that are “most likely to change the world”.
Regulation of both the benefits and risks is important.
The current laws and regulations framework often fail to fully adapt to the evolving possibilities of synthetic biology.
Instances of application: use of gene editing systems such as CRISPR that allow defective genes in animals, plants and even people to be silenced, or changed, and control biological outcomes.
