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Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics
From 2013.igem.org
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Inspired by Ecovative Design, our goal is to benefit society by improving the manufacturing of fungal biomaterials. Fungal biomaterials represent a sustainable alternative to styrofoam and packaging materials and would become cost-effective with improvements in manufacturing. Thus, our project goal of genetically engineering fungi to express antibiotic resistances and a modular genetic circuit paves the way for more cost-effective fungal biomaterials by preventing contamination during the manufacturing process, which would incur cost by delay. Our construct toolkit also provides a base for further work and exploration in the field of fungal genetic engineering for various other applications. | Inspired by Ecovative Design, our goal is to benefit society by improving the manufacturing of fungal biomaterials. Fungal biomaterials represent a sustainable alternative to styrofoam and packaging materials and would become cost-effective with improvements in manufacturing. Thus, our project goal of genetically engineering fungi to express antibiotic resistances and a modular genetic circuit paves the way for more cost-effective fungal biomaterials by preventing contamination during the manufacturing process, which would incur cost by delay. Our construct toolkit also provides a base for further work and exploration in the field of fungal genetic engineering for various other applications. | ||
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| - | We have considered the possibility of our genetic constructs, specifically the antibiotic resistance genes, of being transferred to the environment by a phenomenon known as horizontal gene transfer. Such an occurrence could negatively impact the environment by endowing various organisms with new genetic capabilities. Therefore, we plan to utilize the <a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/fungal_toolkit/biosafety#crelox">Cre-lox</a> recombination system to excise antibiotic resistance genes (for use after selection steps in the manufacturing process) and a modular <a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/fungal_toolkit/biosafety"kill switch</a> to destroy potentially dangerous fungi upon induction [redirect link to relevant wiki sections]. These mechanisms provide safety and can be adapted to fit the needs of each manufacturing center. | + | We have considered the possibility of our genetic constructs, specifically the antibiotic resistance genes, of being transferred to the environment by a phenomenon known as horizontal gene transfer. Such an occurrence could negatively impact the environment by endowing various organisms with new genetic capabilities. Therefore, we plan to utilize the <a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/fungal_toolkit/biosafety#crelox">Cre-lox</a> recombination system to excise antibiotic resistance genes (for use after selection steps in the manufacturing process) and a modular <a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/fungal_toolkit/biosafety#killswitch">kill switch</a> to destroy potentially dangerous fungi upon induction [redirect link to relevant wiki sections]. These mechanisms provide safety and can be adapted to fit the needs of each manufacturing center. |
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Consultation with Ecovative Design and Cornell professors in various departments (plant pathology and biological engineering) has impressed upon our team the possible impacts of our project, negative and positive. | Consultation with Ecovative Design and Cornell professors in various departments (plant pathology and biological engineering) has impressed upon our team the possible impacts of our project, negative and positive. | ||
Revision as of 19:59, 27 September 2013
Bioethics
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment provided a framework to determine the downstream effects of genetically engineering fungal biomaterials and to address ethical concerns. Using this method, we evaluated the possible effects of genetic engineering on the environmental fate and ecological impact of fungal biomaterials. We subsequently developed strategies designed to minimize detrimental effects [1].
Inspired by Ecovative Design, our goal is to benefit society by improving the manufacturing of fungal biomaterials. Fungal biomaterials represent a sustainable alternative to styrofoam and packaging materials and would become cost-effective with improvements in manufacturing. Thus, our project goal of genetically engineering fungi to express antibiotic resistances and a modular genetic circuit paves the way for more cost-effective fungal biomaterials by preventing contamination during the manufacturing process, which would incur cost by delay. Our construct toolkit also provides a base for further work and exploration in the field of fungal genetic engineering for various other applications.
We have considered the possibility of our genetic constructs, specifically the antibiotic resistance genes, of being transferred to the environment by a phenomenon known as horizontal gene transfer. Such an occurrence could negatively impact the environment by endowing various organisms with new genetic capabilities. Therefore, we plan to utilize the Cre-lox recombination system to excise antibiotic resistance genes (for use after selection steps in the manufacturing process) and a modular kill switch to destroy potentially dangerous fungi upon induction [redirect link to relevant wiki sections]. These mechanisms provide safety and can be adapted to fit the needs of each manufacturing center.
Consultation with Ecovative Design and Cornell professors in various departments (plant pathology and biological engineering) has impressed upon our team the possible impacts of our project, negative and positive.
