Synthetic Biology
This page intentionally left blank
Synthetic Biology A Sociology of Changing Practices Andrew S. Balmer University of Manchester, UK Katie Bulpin University of Manchester, UK and Susan Molyneux-Hodgson University of Sheffield, UK
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY: A SOCIOLOGY OF CHANGING PRACTICES Copyright Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin and Susan Molyneux-Hodgson 2016. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission. In accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6 10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. First published 2016 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN The authors have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Palgrave Macmillan in the UK is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan in the US is a division of Nature America, Inc., One New York Plaza, Suite 4500 New York, NY 10004 1562. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. E-PDF ISBN: 978-1-137-49542-6 ISBN: 978-1-137-49541-9 DOI: 10.1057/9781137495426 Distribution in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the Library of Congress A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Balmer, Andrew S., 1983 Synthetic biology : a sociology of changing practices / Andrew S. Balmer, University of Manchester, UK, Katie Bulpin, University of Sheffield, UK, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson, University of Sheffield, UK. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Synthetic biology. 2. Bioengineering. I. Bulpin, Katie, 1982 II. Molyneux-Hodgson, Susan. III. Title. TA164.B35 2016 660.6 dc23 2015033224
Contents Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations vi vii 1 Synthetic Biology in Situ 1 Coda 1 Towards Collaborative Practices 33 2 Barriers 41 Coda 2 Brokering Relations 72 3 Bacteria 80 Coda 3 Critics on the Inside 108 4 Bodies 116 Coda 4 Reciprocal Reflexivity 143 5 Enacting Ontologies, Failure and Time 151 Coda 5 Reflections on Collaboration 181 References 191 Index 203 v
Acknowledgements First, we must thank our colleagues and collaborators with whom we worked during our investigations into synthetic biology, from several science and engineering departments across a number of UK universities. Special mentions are due to Catherine, Phil, Graham, Jags, Joss, Greg, Joby, Simon and Qaiser. Thanks also to the igem team, who were an inspiration and a lot of fun: Caroline, Matt, Narmada, Nii, Steve and Tom. We have shared in prosperity and pleasure, failure and frustration. There was even a dinosaur at one point. We hope that you all enjoy the book. Second, thanks to the creative and thoughtful community of sociologists involved in the ESRC Seminar Series on Synthetic Biology and the Social Sciences, especially Jane Calvert, Claire Marris and Emma Frow. We are grateful to our colleagues, postdocs and PhD students for helping us to thrash out some of the ideas in the book, and for their support more generally. Of course, thanks also go to the funders that helped to make this book possible: the EPSRC (EP/H023488/1), BBSRC (BB/F018681/1, BB/M017702/1), ESRC and the White Rose Science Education Network. In a book about everyday life and knowledge production it is most important to show our appreciation to our friends, families and partners. You have all been so kind and patient. Andy is particularly grateful to Jamie, Mike, Ian and Suzie, Diane and Ivy for their support. Susie would like to thank Pete, Rosie (yes, you are more important than a book) and Alex. Kate thanks all the Bulpins and Morans, but especially Paul. Finally, we each want to thank each other, just so that it is on the record. We had fun. vi
List of Abbreviations AHRC Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK) CCW Consumer Council for Water CSynBI Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation DBIS Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (UK) DWI Drinking Water Inspectorate (UK) EA Environment Agency (UK) ELSI ethical, legal and social implications EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) ESRC Economic and Social Research Council (UK) FOG fats, oils and greases GMOs genetically modified organisms HCSTC House of Commons Science and Technology Committee igem International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition JCVI J. Craig Venter Institute (USA) MIT Massachussetts Institute of Technology (USA) NIBB Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy. NSF National Science Foundation (USA) Ofwat Water Services Regulation Authority (UK) R&D Research and Development RAE Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) RCUK Research Councils United Kingdom Roadmap A Synthetic Biology Roadmap for the UK Report by the SBRCG RRI responsible research and innovation SBRC synthetic biology research centre SBRCG Synthetic Biology Roadmap Coordination Group (UK) SBX.0 International Synthetic Biology Conference SIM service incentive mechanism SSK sociology of scientific knowledge STS science and technology studies SYNBERC Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center (USA) vii
viii List of Abbreviations SynbiCITE Synthetic Biology Innovation and Commercialisation Industrial Translation Engine WFD Water Framework Directive (EU) WWICS Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars