Ethics

The ethical part of our project will focus on two major points:

1) The safety/security issues. What can be done to prevent malign use? What are we doing to protect ourselves and the environment when we work with bacteria in the lab? What does the law require that we do?

2) Making synthetic biology known to the public The public will need certain information and learning, to be able to make decisions about their own stands and thoughts about synthetic biology. Will they welcome GMO foods? Bacterial products in general? Or will the idea about bacteria as a source to disease overrule all the positive aspects? This depends largely on how these topics are addressed, and we are going to address them in a way that makes room for personal reflection.

It is important for us that we can make a very concrete product, so that this will be more than just papers on the topic. These are our ideas so far:

1) An interactive computer program or computer game. Could be used in schools as a teaching tool, or could be a fun way of involving the public in the world of bacteria, genetic modification and bioethics.

2) Event in public. This is a loose idea, and it contains various possibilities.

a) competition

b) speech

c) iGEM presentation as part of a larger public event?

3) Visiting schools and making theme days about bioethics. Some of the ideas listed could be part of this idea. F.ex. the computer program, but see also below.

4) Folder that can be given at theme days/ public events/ other, so that people have something to bring home and remind them of what they learned. It would also include references for those who wanted to learn more.

5) Art. Some piece of art which has either a shocking, provoking or humoristic effect. If we could make it directly relevant for people in their personal lives this would also work, and make them remember. The important part here is to have people REMEMBER this even after they've gone home. We want them to tell their friends about it.

6a) Web. We will be putting stuff on our wiki so this is for sure a part of it, but how do we want to present our case? making it possible for the visitors to get a quick overview will be essential, but then we will also need deeper articles about the topics and references to other articles, books, web pages, movies(?) etc. and links.

6b) A 'test yourself' facility on our page would be really cool, and something that could have people telling their friends. Maybe we want a "tell a friend"-button so that it's easy for visitors to do this?

7) Articles for newspapers/magazines/other. Another way to get the message out.

8) Uses. Examples of where bacteria and genetically modified organisms are successfully used already in our world, will give a milder and more positive view on synthetic biology. This idea should probably be incorporated in one or more of the others, f.ex. the theme day, public event, articles, on the web, in the test, in the computer game etc.

9) Apocalyptic scenario with bacteria as the saving heroes. A story?

10) Full teachers package to run an educational theme on synthetic biology.

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The ethical part of our project.