The Government defines engineering biology as ‘the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably. It can use the tools of synthetic biology, including but not limited to gene editing, and involves its application and commercialisation across sectors. These engineered biological systems can be used to manipulate information, assemble materials, process chemicals, produce energy, provide food, and help maintain or enhance human health and the environment’.
Purpose of the inquiry
The Committee seeks to understand which technologies fall under the umbrella of engineering biology, and what its potential is, particularly in delivering UK economic growth through commercialisation and for improvements to public services. It wishes to explore what the key applications for engineering biology might be; how realistic some of the claims made are; which developments are already underway, which areas of engineering biology the UK excels at and which it is well placed to exploit; and what more needs to happen to ensure that the science developed in the UK benefits our public services and the UK economy. The Committee is also interested in the ethical, regulatory and safety implications of the rapid developments in engineering biology. The Committee’s findings will inform a report which makes conclusions and policy recommendations to the Government and other key organisations.
The Committee will explore:
- which technologies fall under the umbrella of engineering biology, and what its potential is, particularly in delivering UK economic growth through commercialisation and for improvements to public services;
- what the key applications for engineering biology might be, how realistic some of the claims made are, which developments are already underway, and which areas of engineering biology the UK excels at and which it is well placed to exploit;
- what more needs to happen to ensure that the science developed in the UK benefits public services and the UK economy; and
- the ethical, regulatory and safety implications of the rapid developments in engineering biology.
A full list of questions can be found in the Call for Evidence Call for Evidence – Committees – UK Parliament
The Committee invites written contributions to its inquiry by 11.59 pm on Tuesday 7 May 2024.