In the weeks following the release of the first report from Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, chaired by Penn President Amy Gutmann, further information about the report’s implementation has been announced.
The first report from the Commission, entitled “New Directions: The Ethics of Synthetic Biology and Emerging Technologies,” recommended better supervision of scientists in order to promote innovation and monitor risk in the emerging field, in which scientists and engineers develop and use technologies to reproduce biological systems.
In what Gutmann called a “rare opportunity” to take a proactive approach to monitoring a developing field of science, the Commission asked for public responses to the report’s suggestions within the next 18 months.
Gutmann added that the suggestions would be possible to implement without new legislation.
Arthur Caplan, director for the Penn Center for Bioethics and Medical Ethics professor, commended Gutmann’s leadership of the project and the practical approaches the Commission suggested in the report.
Taking a moderate approach to facilitate research and regulate ethics within synthetic biology, the report encouraged the coordination of federal agencies that oversee the field of synthetic biology, human health, ethical training of scientists and cross-governmental assessment of new synthetic-biology technologies.
The Commission also proposed the creation of a non-profit website similar to FactCheck.org about the field of bioethics as a means to increase dialogue about synthetic biology among government members, scientists, the media and the public.
Chelsea Ott, College junior and president of the Penn Bioethics Society, said she believes Gutmann’s involvement with the Commission and report will raise interest in bioethics at Penn and strengthen the awareness of ethical practices in emerging fields such as synthetic biology.
The Commission plans to release upcoming topics for reports later this year.
