Synthetic biology: creating opportunities

Synthetic biology is the engineering of biology: the synthesis of complex, biologically based (or inspired) systems, which display functions that do not exist in nature. This engineering perspective may be added at all levels of the hierarchy of biological structures – from individual molecules to whole cells, tissues and organisms. In essence, synthetic biology will enable the design of “biological systems” in a rational and systematic way. The Committee has used this European consensus definition of synthetic biology in this advisory report. The Committee considers synthetic biology an innovative approach in the life sciences with potential significance for science and society. The advisory report addresses the questions posed by the minister of Education, Culture and Science.

Committee

• W.P.M. Hoekstra, emeritus professor of General Microbiology, University of Utrecht, chairman
• C. Dekker, professor of Molecular Biophysics, TU Delft
• R.A.M. Fouchier, professor of Virology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
• M.A. Huynen, professor of Bio-informatics, St. Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen
• N.J. Leschot, professor of Clinical Genetics, AMC, Amsterdam
• R. van Olden, director Medical & Regulatory, GlaxoSmithKline, Zeist
• B. Oudega, professor of Molecular Microbiology, VU University, Amsterdam
• B. Poolman, professor of Biochemistry, University of Groningen
• J.E. Hensing, Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Den Haag, advisor
• J. Kuiper, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, advisor
• F.W.A. Brom, professor of Life Science Ethics, Rathenau Institute, Den Haag / Wageningen University, observer
• S.G. van Keulen, COGEM, Bilthoven, observer
• H. de Vriend, LIS Consult, Rijswijk, scientific secretary
• S.H.M. Litjens, Health Council / Advisory Council on Health Research, Den Haag, scientific secretary