Contents 1 The New Worlds of Synthetic Biology Synopsis 2 Synthetic Biology: Diverse Layers of Live

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1 Contents 1 The New Worlds of Synthetic Biology Synopsis... 1 Margret Engelhard, Michael Bölker, Nediljko Budisa, Kristin Hagen, Christian Illies, Rafael Pardo-Avellaneda, Georg Toepfer and Gerd Winter 1.1 Attraction of Synthetic Biology A Mosaic-like Field on the Move Challenges to the Societal and Ethical Evaluation Relevant Features and Concepts of Synthetic Biology Layer Model Challenge to the Concept of Life Ethical Evaluation Synthetic Biology as an Object of Public Perceptions Legal Challenges Law Enabling and Regulating Synthetic Biology Law Fostering Synthetic Biology Law Ensuring Benefit Sharing Outlook References Synthetic Biology: Diverse Layers of Live Michael Bölker, Margret Engelhard and Nediljko Budisa 2.1 Introduction The Main Research Agendas of Synthetic Biology The Engineering Branch of Synthetic Biology Orthogonal Biology Protocell Biology Recapitulation of Evolution A Layer Model to Describe and Classify Natural and Synthetic Organisms in Different Fields of Synthetic Biology Layer of Genetically Modified and Artificially Designed Cells xi

2 xii Contents Layer of Orthogonal Cells (Xenobiology) Layer of Simple Life Forms and Protocells Conclusions References Old and New Risks in Synthetic Biology: Topics and Tools for Discussion Margret Engelhard, Michael Bölker and Nediljko Budisa 3.1 Synthetic Biology in the Risk Discussion Background: The Mosaic-like Structure of the Field Dichotomy of the Attributes Novelty and Continuity Novelty in the Synthetic Biology Context Invalidity of the Continuity Argument in the Context of Risk Evaluation of Synthetic Biology Scope of the Synthetic Biology Politicized Time Point and Speed of the Scientific Development Differentiated Level of the Risk Discussion New Features of Synthetic Biology Relevant for Risk Evaluation Depth of Intervention, Complexity and Predictability Depth of Intervention Predictability: Safety Concepts of Synthetic Biology Risk Assessment Challenged: Familiarity Principle and Speed of Developments Special Cases of Risks Assessment in Synthetic Biology The Farther, the Safer? Sense Codon Reassignment in the Genetic Code and Its Possible Consequences Natural Background Adaptive Features Technological Risk and Benefits The Innocence of Protocells Summary and Outlook References The Concept of Life in Synthetic Biology Georg Toepfer 4.1 Four Episodes in the History of Artificial Life Research Modes of Artificiality in Artificial Life Research Artificial Systems as Models for Living Systems Modes of Vitality in Artificial Life Research Can Artificially Designed Systems Be Instantiations of Life? References

3 Contents xiii 5 New Debates in Old Ethical Skins Christian Illies 5.1 Ethics of Technology Synthetic Biology A Philosophical View Synthetic Biology as a Climax of Modern Science and Technology The Ethical Relevance of Synthetic Biology Ethical Issues of Synthetic Biology Does Synthetic Biology Need a New Ethics? Risk Global Justice The Playing God Argument Acting Under Uncertainty New or Old Ethics? The Need for New Ethical Debate and Its Problems The Need for Debate The Lack of a Public Debate The Conceptual Challenge for Ethicists The Silence of the Labs? Scientific and Public Language The Three Moral Laws A Moral Proposal First Law: A Biotic Artefact May not Injure a Human Being Second Law: A Biotic Artefact Must Be Strictly Functional Third Law: A Biotic Artefact Must Be Protected Short Conclusion References Synthetic Biology: Public Perceptions of an Emergent Field Rafael Pardo Avellaneda and Kristin Hagen 6.1 Introduction The Space and Role of Public Perceptions of Emergent Technoscientific Areas An Enlightenment Assumption: Resistance to Science as a Function of Lack of Knowledge Changes in the Institutional and Cultural Framework for the Development of New Areas of Science Positive Attitudes to Science and Reservations About Biotechnology Public Views on an Emergent and Fuzzy Object: Synthetic Biology Low Level of Salience and the Study of Public Views

4 xiv Contents Early Characterizations of Public Views on Synthetic Biology in the United States Vistas on European Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Awareness of Synthetic Biology in Europe Relative Weight of Different Criteria in the Evaluation of Synthetic Biology Global Positions on the Acceptance of Synthetic Biology The Regulatory Regime for Synthetic Biology Synthetic Biology, Unnaturalness and Playing God Conclusion References In Search for a Legal Framework for Synthetic Biology Gerd Winter 7.1 Introduction Enabling and Regulating Synthetic Biology in View of Environmental and Health Risks Constitutional Freedoms and the Regulation of Synthetic Biology Preventive Administrative Regulation Applicability to Synthetic Biology of the GMO Regime Adequacy of the GMO Regime Regulation Ex Post Conclusion Promoting Synthetic Biology Through the Granting of Intellectual Property Rights Patenting Life Forms Patent A Stimulus of What? Applying Patent Law to Synthetic Biology Copy Right for Synthetic Biology Programs? Redistributing Benefits from Synthetic Biology Summary References

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