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'Identity' And Governance In Synthetic Biology: Norms And Counter Norms In The 'International Genetically Engineered Machine' (Igem) Competition, David W. Mercer

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

A number of commentaries preoccupied with the legal, social and ethical implications of synthetic biology have emphasised that an important element shaping options for its future governance will be the normative ethos that is adopted by the emerging field. One venue that has regularly been identified as central to the development of this normative ethos is the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition, an annual synthetic biology competition, which attracts thousands of students from across the world. The ideal values promoted by iGEM of collaboration, interdisciplinarity, sharing of results, and overt commitment to the consideration of social and ethical implications …