Synthetic Biology aka "extreme genetic engineering":The Bay Area's Next Bio-Bubble? - A one-day Teach In

Synthetic Biology, a new biotech revolution nurtured in the San Francisco Bay Area, was at the heart of the recent controversial deal between UC Berkeley and oil giant BP. Discover how this fast growing artificial life industry is set to have massive implications for global justice, peace, the environment and the Bay Area itself.
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Synthetic Biology? Whats that?

Building artificial life forms may sound like science fiction, but it couldn’t be more real for the investment and tech communities in the Bay area. They tout “synthetic biology” as the next big tech revolution to come out of the Bay Area. Synthetic Biology refers to “extreme genetic engineering,” a new industry attempting to re-programme living organisms to produce industrial products such as biofuels and bioplastics. One high-profile proponent, J Craig Venter who privatized the human genome, claims that the products of synthetic organisms “will replace the petrochemical industry, most food, clean energy and bioremediation.”[1]

Synthetic biologists are already attracting billions of dollars in corporate funding from energy, chemical and grain processing giants – including DuPont, BP, Shell, Chevron, Cargill and ADM – as well as venture capital and government grants. The San Francisco Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, is home to most synbio activity and is considered “ground zero” for global developments. Synthetic organisms pose new safety risks to health and the environment. If industry succeeds in applying them to biofuel (agrofuel) production, they will have a huge impact on farm and forest economies.

You are cordially invited to join a ONE-DAY SEMINAR held by and for civil society groups. We will examine the implications of Synthetic Biology for existing civil society campaigns, such as campaigns on agrofuels, clean production, energy, forests, sustainable agriculture and environmental justice. A leading practitioner in the field will join us for an overview of synbio basics. Leading critics will lead discussions on synbio’s prospects and implications.

Topics will include:

- Next generation biofuels: a false solution? (including implications for agricultural and forest sustainability)

- Security: Does Synthetic Biology enable cheap, DIY bioweapons?

- Safety: The environmental and human safety implications of synthetic life-forms

- Privatization: Patenting and commodification of life’s building blocks

- Biopiracy: How DNA synthesis may increase the theft of natural resources from the global South

- Justice: What the next bio-bubble could mean for environmental justice and other struggles for justice

Speakers will include:
Dr. Ignacio Chapela (UC Berkeley),
Dr. Drew Endy (Stanford University),
Alice Friedemann (Science Writer),
Pat Mooney (ETC Group),
Gopal Dayenini (Movement Generation),
Marcy Darnovsky (Center for Genetics and Society),
Jaydee Hanson (ICTA),
Jim Thomas (ETC Group),
Gillian Madill (Friends of the Earth US),
Patrick Reinsborough (The smartMeme Project).

Co-hosted by Alliance for Humane Biotechnology, The Center for Food Safety, ETC Group, Friends of the Earth USA, International Center for Technology Assessment, The SmartMeme Project, Center for Environmental Health, Center for Genetics and Society, and Movement Generation.

There is no cost to attend this Teach-in but space is limited. Lunch and light breakfast will be provided.
RSVP to synbio@etcgroup.org and specify if you want a vegetarian lunch. Space is limited.

You are also invited to join us for an EVENING DEBATE ON SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY on the 17th November, hosted by the Long Now Foundation at the Cowell Theatre in Fort Mason (The Presidio). Professor Drew Endy of Stanford University (one of the founders of the field of Synthetic Biology) will debate Jim Thomas of the ETC Group exploring the long-term promise and perils of Synthetic Biology. (See separate announcement for November 17 event below).

Please forward and circulate this announcement to your networks

Jim Thomas
ETC Group (Montreal)
jim@etcgroup.org
+1 514 6674932