New Book Release
TWN Biotechnology & Biosafety Series 18
Synthetic Biology and Relevant International Law
By Lim Li Ching
Publisher: TWN
ISBN: 978-967-0747-18-7
Year: 2017 No. of pages: 48
14.5cm x 21cm
About the Book
SYNTHETIC biology has been operationally defined as “a further development and new dimension of modern biotechnology that combines science, technology and engineering to facilitate and accelerate the understanding, design, redesign, manufacture and/or modification of genetic materials, living organisms and biological systems”. The complexity and novelty of the technology present significant challenges in terms of its governance and regulation.
This booklet looks at the multilateral treaties that apply to various aspects of synthetic biology, including, most notably, the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Nevertheless, gaps still exist in the international legal framework when it comes to addressing all the potential negative impacts resulting from the application of synthetic biology techniques. In view of this, the author sets out several elements and principles that could underpin a more holistic regulatory approach towards this emerging new technology.
Lim Li Chinghas a B.Sc. in Ecology and an M.Phil. in Development Studies. She is a Researcher with the Third World Network and coordinates its biosafety programme. She is currently a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Socio-economic Considerations, established by Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Li Ching has been involved in the biosafety capacity-building programme of TWN and GenØk-Centre for Biosafety, Norway, and has been on the faculty of the international biosafety course Holistic Foundations for the Assessment and Regulation of Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms (2003-2012) and several other regional courses. She is co-editor of the book Biosafety First, published by Tapir Academic Press in 2007.
Contents
Chapter 1. Relevance and Application of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to Synthetic Biology
Chapter 2. Synthetic Biology and Relevant International Laws: Gaps and Overlaps
Chapter 3. Principles for a Holistic Regulatory Approach to Synthetic Biology
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How to Order the Book
Visit our TWN Online Bookshop at: www.twnshop.com or contact Third World Network at 131 Jalan Macalister, 10400 Penang, Malaysia.
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