Human Practice

I. Survey

During the National Science week, we conducted a visiting activity aimed at letting more people know about synthetic biology. A survey was also done at the same time in order to get visitors’ thoughts about this field and issues about ethics, living creatures and the like.

The results of the survey were compiled and we've come to the following conclusion:

Considering our survey respondents includes undergraduates and graduates with different education backgrounds, it wasn't astonishing that 86% of them chose synthetic biology to be designing and constructing new biological functions and systems running on principles of biology as opposed to synthetically creating life. 38% of them also believed advances in synthetic biology will benefit human beings.

Results

Date: 2011/05/21 & 2011/05/22

Place: School campus of USTC

Sample Size: 200

1. What is Synthetic Biology?

• A new area of biological research that combines science and engineering which focuses on "Synthetically" creating life.
• Design and construction of new biological functions and systems not found in nature.

2.Do you believe that Synthetic Biology can solve problems concerning energy, environment and health?

• Yes, advances in synthetic biology will surely benefit human beings.
• I don't know, it's hard to predict the future.
• No, in no case.

3.In case of a sever disease, would you take drugs produced by means of synthetic biology?

• Yes.
• I don't know.
• No.

4.Do you have ethical-moral concerns regarding synthetic biology?

• Yes.
• I don't know.
• No.

5.Which organization do you think should undertake the most responsibility in the process of supervising the development of synthetic biology?

• Government
• Research institutions
• Commercial institutions
• Civil society

Continuing reading:

• II. Safety & Security

• III. China Meetup

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