Synthetic Biology: A Glimpse into the Future

On March 15, 2018, the Junge Akademie, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Berlin-based Schering Stiftung co-host a workshop on the impact of the current developments in synthetic biology on our future life. This opportunity for mind games is open to school and university students, teachers, scientists from all disciplines, and interested citizens.

In four small working groups of up to 8 people each, participants will discuss potential, fictional examples of how synthetic biology will be applied in the fields of health, resources, biodiversity, and lifestyle in the year 2050. The discussions are based on future scenarios that will be prepared by experts in biology, law, ecology, and technology assessment: How do we deal with the new developments? What are the anticipated risks and positive consequences? How can we evaluate future developments according to today’s ethical standards? Via speed dating, the participants can get information from and consult with the invited experts. The discussion results will be presented and discussed during the subsequent public evening event.

The workshop and the public evening event will be held in German.