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Biomodifying the ‘Natural’: from adaptive regulation to adaptive societal governance

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 02:34 authored by Miranda Mourby, Michael Morrison, Phoebe LiPhoebe Li, Alex Faulkner, Edison Bicudo, Jessica Bell, Jane Kaye
Biomodifying technologies—such as gene editing, induced pluripotent stem cells and bioprinting— are being developed for a wide range of applications, from pest control to lab-grown meat. In medicine, regulators have responded to the challenge of evaluating modified ‘natural’ material as a therapeutic ‘product’ by introducing more flexible assessment schemes. Attempts have also been made to engage stakeholders across the globe on the acceptable parameters for these technologies, particularly in the case of gene editing. Regulatory flexibility and stakeholder engagement are important, but a broader perspective is also needed to respond to the potential disruption of biomodification. Our case-study technologies problematize basic ideas — such as ‘nature,’ ‘product’ and ‘donation’— that underpin the legal categories used to regulate biotechnology. Where such foundational concepts are rendered uncertain, a socially responsive and sustainable solution would involve exploring evolutions in these concepts across different societies. We suggest that the global observatory model is a good starting point for this ‘Adaptive Societal Governance’ approach, in which a self-organising network of scholars and interested parties could carry out the multi-modal (meta)analyses needed to understand societal constructions of ideas inherent to our understanding of ‘life.’

Funding

Biomodifying technologies: Governing converging research in the life sciences; G2501; LEVERHULME TRUST; RPG-2017-330

Biomodifying technologies and experimental space: organisational and regulatory implications for the translation and valuation of health research; G2291; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/P002943/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Law and the Biosciences

ISSN

2053-9711

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Issue

1

Volume

9

Department affiliated with

  • International Relations Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-02-08

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-02-08

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-02-08

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