Erik's presentation: Part 1

Looking for common ground between synthetic and natural bioethics.  The definition of synthetic biology: 'The design structure of new biological parts and systems and also the redesign on existing systems.'  One of the goals of synthetic biology is to move from evolutionary models to designed models. 
 
Synthetic biology is not merely genetic re-engineering but potentially building new biology "from scratch."  Ex. a carbon nanotubule is engineered to deliver proteins.  It looks like nanotechnology, stem cell technology, and synthetic biology.  These new scientific fields are interdiciplinary [especially along shared integrations with information technology]. 
 
What is needed is a general framework for ethics in emerging technologies!