Biotechnology Innovation in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Gene Editing: A Call for a New Regulatory Framework
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
25775790
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85195561470
Journal Title
OBM Genetics
Volume
8
Issue
2
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
OBM Genetics Vol.8 No.2 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Stasi A., Thongpravati O. Biotechnology Innovation in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Gene Editing: A Call for a New Regulatory Framework. OBM Genetics Vol.8 No.2 (2024). doi:10.21926/obm.genet.2402238 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/98835
Title
Biotechnology Innovation in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Gene Editing: A Call for a New Regulatory Framework
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
The expansion of do-it-yourself (DIY) gene editing, facilitated by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology, has catalyzed a significant shift in scientific research and biotechnology innovation. This movement is propelled by a community-driven approach that challenges the traditional confines of scientific exploration, allowing amateur scientists to perform sophisticated biological experiments. While this democratization fosters inclusivity and accelerates innovation, it simultaneously introduces significant biosecurity risks. The possibility of unregulated gene editing leading to the unintentional creation of harmful organisms or the deliberate engineering of pathogens underscores the need for a new regulatory framework. This paper explores the implications of DIY biology within the context of public health, environmental safety, and biosecurity, highlighting the urgency for adaptive policies that balance scientific freedom with security. It proposes integrating community-driven regulatory practices with formal oversight mechanisms by examining biosecurity implications, ethical considerations, and the potential for misuse. Additionally, the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) is explored as a novel approach to transforming governance within the domain of DIY gene editing, particularly in the context of CRISPR research.