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A survey has found Australians are broadly "hopeful", "excited" and "curious" about how the emerging field of synthetic biology could address some of the greatest challenges facing their country.
Synthetic biology involves applying engineering principles to modify and redesign biological systems and living organisms. It includes genetic engineering and gene editing.
In areas such as manufacturing, human health, agriculture and environmental conservation, synthetic biology could be used to manage invasive pest species to improve biodiversity, reduce pollution in waterways, or reduce mosquito-borne diseases.
The survey, "National Baseline Survey of Attitudes Towards Synthetic Biology," by CSIRO, (Australia's national science agency), captured the views of 8037 Australians to gain insight into community perspectives on future synthetic biology-based solutions being developed by research teams at CSIRO.
Synthetic biology had a diverse range of applications and it was important the developing technologies were informed by societal views, CSIRO project lead Dr Aditi Mankad said.
"Synthetic biology can help researchers develop novel tools to address many national challenges. But scientists and other stakeholders know very little about how Australians feel towards the novel genetic solutions offered by synthetic biology," Mankad said.
The Australian-first survey aimed to better understand attitudes and beliefs on future synthetic biology solutions for a series of health, industrial and environmental challenges.
It examined the support, perceived risks and trust people associated with these emerging technologies.
"We found that support for the development of these technologies as potential solutions for significant challenges was moderate to high overall, but support was also conditional on some unique issues for each case study," Mankad said.
One of the case studies examined how CSIRO was using synthetic biology to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
Synthetic biology could be used to remove or change genes so mosquitoes could no longer carry a particular harmful virus.
Another example was CSIRO's use of synthetic biology to clean up polluted waterways.
Bio engineered pseudo-organisms had the potential to detoxify contaminated waterways in a more targeted and thorough way.
"Overall, we found that support was highest when there was a public health imperative or an environmental benefit such as pollution management or conservation," Mankad said.
Many participants were also keen to know more about the possible risks to humans, animals and the environment, and more about regulation and control of the technology, Mankad said.
"These findings have real implications for how synthetic biology technologies can be further developed with the views of Australians in mind, to address any potential public concerns, support sustainable industries, and realise meaningful impacts for the environment, society and the economy."
The survey was an important first step in assessing public attitudes to inform next steps in the design and delivery of future research.
The seven synthetic biology applications being developed by teams at CSIRO and used as examples in the study were:
• Gene marking of male chickens to improve practices in the egg-laying industry
• Changing the properties of natural fibres to reduce pollution generated by synthetic fibres
• Protecting endangered species by increasing species' genetic diversity
• Managing invasive pest species to improve biodiversity
• Reducing pollution in waterways using bio-engineered pseudo-organisms
• Gene editing of disease-susceptible mosquitoes to reduce mosquito-borne diseases
• Genetically engineering resilient coral to restore the Great Barrier Reef.
Full reports for each case study can be downloaded here.