Synthetic Biology: Deliberations from UN COP14, Egypt 2018

The 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP14) closed on 29th November with a broad international agreement on reversing the global destruction of nature and biodiversity loss threatening all forms of life on Earth. Among the crucial strategic issues discussed was Synthetic Biology.

In the decision (CBD/COP/14/L.31), the COP agreed that broad and regular horizon scanning, monitoring, and assessing of the most recent technological developments is needed for reviewing new information on the potential positive and potential negative impacts of synthetic biology vis-à-vis the three objectives of the Convention and those of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols. It called upon parties and others, taking into account the current uncertainties regarding engineered gene drives, to apply a precautionary approach, and to only consider introducing organisms containing engineered gene drives into the environment, when scientifically-sound case-by-case risk assessments have been carried out, risk management measures are in place to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects, as appropriate, and where appropriate, the “prior and informed consent,” the “free PIC,” or “approval and involvement” of potentially affected IPLCs is sought or obtained, in accordance with national circumstances and legislation.

The COP also decided to extend the AHTEG on synthetic biology and the open-ended online forum. The annexed terms of reference for the AHTEG on synthetic biology include taking stock of new technological developments in synthetic biology since the last meeting of the AHTEG, including the consideration, among other things, of concrete applications of genome editing if they relate to synthetic biology, in order to support a broad and regular horizon scanning process.