Synthetic Biology Industrial and Environmental Applications

by Schmidt, Markus

• ISBN13: 9783527331833
• ISBN10: 3527331832
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-08-20
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This is the only book to focus on industrial and environmental applications of synthetic biology, covering 17 of the most promising uses in the areas of biofuel, bioremediation and biomaterials. The contributions are written by experts from academia, non-profit organizations and industry, outlining not only the scientific basics but also the economic, environmental and ethical impact of the new technologies. This makes it not only suitable as supplementary material for students but also the perfect companion for policy makers and funding agencies, if they are to make informed decisions about synthetic biology. Largely coordinated by Markus Schmidt, a policy adviser, and the only European to testify in front of the bioethics commission of the Obama administration.

Author Biography

Markus Schmidt has an interdisciplinary background with an education in electronic and biomedical engineering, biology (MSc) and risk research (PhD). His research interests include risk assessment, the science-society interface, and technology assessment (TA) of novel bio-, nano- and converging technologies. Since 2005 he pioneered synthetic biology safety and ELSI (ethical, legal and social issues) research in Europe. See: www.markusschmidt.eu for details.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors	p. xi
Short CVs of Contributors	p. xiii
Preface	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Executive Summary	p. xxi
Biofuels	p. xxi
Bioremediation	p. xxii
Biomaterials	p. xxiv
Novel Developments in Synthetic Biology	p. xxv
Introduction	p. 7
What Are Synthetic Biology Applications?	p. 1
Which Synthetic Biology Applications Did We Consider?	p. 2
Selecting and Assessing Synthetic Biology Applications	p. 3
The Regulatory Context for Synthetic Biology	p. 4
References	p. 6
Biofuels	p. 7
Biofuels in General	p. 7
Introduction	p. 7
Economic Potential	p. 8
Environmental Impact	p. 13
Land Requirements for Projected Biofuel Use	p. 14
Other Environmental Concerns	p. 16
Impact of Legislative Decicions	p. 16
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 17
How Could the New SB Application Impact Society at Large?	p. 18
Ethanol	p. 19
Introduction	p. 19
Economic Potential	p. 20
Environmental Impact	p. 21
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 24
Could the Application Change Social Interactions?	p. 26
Producing Countries, Rich Countries?	p. 26
Non-ethanol Fuels	p. 27
Introduction	p. 27
Economic Potential	p. 31
Environmental Impact	p. 32
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 33
Impact on Social Interaction	p. 34
Algae-based Fuels	p. 35
Introduction	p. 35
Economic Potential	p. 37
Environmental Impact	p. 41
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 42
Could the Application Change Social Interactions?	p. 42
Hydrogen Production	p. 43
Introduction	p. 43
Economic Potential	p. 46
Cost Comparison with Gasoline for Transport Fuels	p. 46
Environmental Impact	p. 49
Environmental Concerns	p. 51
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 51
Could the Application Change Social Interactions? If Yes, in Which Way?	p. 52
Microbial Fuel Cells and Bio-photovoltaics	p. 52
Introduction	p. 52
Economic Potential	p. 56
Environmental Impact	p. 56
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 59
Recommendations for Biofaels	p. 59
References	p. 61
Bioremediation	p. 67
Bioremediation in General	p. 67
Introduction	p. 67
Economic Potential	p. 68
Environmental Impact	p. 69
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 70
Detection of Environmental Pollutants (Biosensors)	p. 70
Introduction	p. 70
Economic Potential	p. 73
Environmental Impact	p. 74
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 76
Water Treatment	p. 77
Introduction	p. 77
Economic Potential	p. 78
Environmental Impact	p. 78
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 79
Water Desalination with Biomembranes	p. 79
Introduction	p. 79
Economic Potential	p. 80
Environmental Impact	p. 81
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 81
Soil and Groundwater Decontamination	p. 82
Introduction	p. 82
Economic Potential	p. 83
Environmental Impact	p. 84
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 85
Solid Waste Treatment	p. 85
Introduction	p. 85
Economic Potential	p. 87
Environmental Impact	p. 87
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 87
CO2 Recapturing	p. 89
Introduction	p. 89
Economic Potential	p. 92
How Is Carbon Traded?	p. 93
Environmental Impact	p. 95
A Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 96
Recommendations for Bioremediation	p. 98
References	p. 99
Further Reading	p. 101
Biomaterials	p. 103
Biomaterials in General	p. 103
Introduction	p. 103
Economic Potential	p. 104
Environmental Impact	p. 106
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 107
Biopolymers/Plastics	p. 108
Introduction	p. 108
Economic Potential	p. 111
Environmental Impact	p. 113
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 115
Bulk Chemical Production	p. 117
Introduction	p. 117
Economic Potential	p. 120
Environmental Impact	p. 123
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 124
Fine Chemical Production	p. 126
Introduction	p. 126
Vitamins and Pharmaceuticals	p. 128
Economic Potential	p. 129
Environmental Impact	p. 131
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 133
Cellulosomes	p. 134
Introduction	p. 134
Economic Potential	p. 136
Environmental Impact	p. 137
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 138
Recommendations for Biomaterials	p. 139
References	p. 140
Further Reading	p. 143
Other Developments in Synthetic Biology	p. 145
Protocells	p. 145
Introduction	p. 145
Economic Potential	p. 147
Environmental Impact	p. 147
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspects	p. 149
Xenobiology	p. 150
Introduction	p. 150
Economic Potential	p. 152
Environmental Impact	p. 152
Foreseeable Social and Ethical Aspect	p. 154
Recommendations for Protocells and Xenobiology	p. 154
References	p. 155
Further Reading	p. 156
Regulatory Frameworks for Synthetic Biology	p. 157
United States of America	p. 157
Introduction	p. 157
United States Federal Regulations and Guidelines	p. 158
National Institutes of Health: Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules	p. 158
Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration	p. 164
USDA Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service	p. 167
Food and Drug Administration	p. 169
Department of Commerce Regulations	p. 170
Select Agent Rules	p. 172
Screening Guidance for Providers of Synthetic Double-Stranded DNA	p. 175
International Conventions and Agreements	p. 176
The Convention on Biological Diversity	p. 176
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafery and the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpar Supplementary Protocol on Liability	p. 177
The Biological Weapons Convention	p. 178
The Australia Group Guidelines	p. 179
Conclusions: Current Coverage and Future Considerations	p. 181
Current Coverage	p. 181
Future Prospects	p. 183
Europe	p. 185
Introduction	p. 185
Synthetic Biology as a Novel Science and Engineering Field	p. 186
Synthetic Biology versus Genetic Engineering	p. 189
Existing Regulations	p. 190
European Union	p. 190
Examples of National Regulations	p. 195
Austria	p. 196
Germany	p. 198
United Kingdom	p. 201
Switzerland	p. 203
Options for Adapting and Improving Regulations	p. 205
Outlook	p. 209
China	p. 210
Introduction	p. 210
General Provisions	p. 211
Biosecurity and Dual Use	p. 217
Options for Adapting and Improving Regulations	p. 218
Outlook	p. 219
References	p. 220
Further Reading	p. 226
List of Biofuel Companies	p. 227
List of Bioremediation Companies	p. 229
Index	p. 237
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