The aim of science and synthetic biology in particular is to improve lives by solving problems. We as researchers (-to-be) are therefore working for society. Yet, we can only offer solutions, which have to be approved and applied by the public. Moreover, national and international legal frameworks limit every scientific action, which again, lie in the hand of the people. Thus, synthetic biology in general and our project in particular have implications for every individual, as we are all interdependent. Everyone, may he or she be a scientist or not, has an equally valuable opinion about synthetic biology.

We as iGEM Team Heidelberg have therefore put great effort in communicating with various groups within society and to engage a broader cross section of society as well as artists and of course the next generation of scientists into our project. We hope to open minds, broaden horizons as well as minimize prejudices and concerns. Additionally, we discussed our ideas with various experts in science and society.

Read about our experiences and the valuable and encouraging feedback we received over the past month by selecting one of the groups below. We further summarized our experiences and ethical considerations in an essay.