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Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?

Matthew Tarnowski, Mario Pansera Orcid Logo

Journal of Responsible Innovation, Volume: 11, Issue: 1, Start page: 2351233

Swansea University Author: Matthew Tarnowski

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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233

Abstract

Synthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologi...

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Published in: Journal of Responsible Innovation
ISSN: 2329-9460 2329-9037
Published: Informa UK Limited 2024
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70077
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spelling 2025-07-31T13:29:55.1202714 v2 70077 2025-07-31 Is a convivial synthetic biology possible? f9d373dd511c85aae88d33cb57b1fff9 Matthew Tarnowski Matthew Tarnowski true false 2025-07-31 Synthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologies. The outcome is a re-evaluation of synthetic biology through the lens of ‘conviviality’, a concept introduced by Ivan Illich to designate a modern society of responsibly limited tools, where individual freedom is realised through personal interdependence. We find that in its current form, synthetic biology is not convivial since it relies on centralisation, monopolies and technologies which have the capacity to negatively affect the biosphere and its inhabitants. We argue that a broader conception of biotechnology, beyond genetics, is needed to conceive convivial biotechnologies. In our research journey we explore a range of approaches for responsible biotechnology innovation, which includes open-source, commons-based, decentralised organisations, and post-growth models. Journal Article Journal of Responsible Innovation 11 1 2351233 Informa UK Limited 2329-9460 2329-9037 Synthetic biology, biotechnology, responsible innovation, research journey, conviviality 26 5 2024 2024-05-26 10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233 Perspective COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Another institution paid the OA fee This work was supported by the HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council [grant number 947713]. 2025-07-31T13:29:55.1202714 2025-07-31T13:15:27.2786172 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences Matthew Tarnowski 1 Mario Pansera 0000-0002-3806-1381 2 70077__34890__eee13b84962e4240931bb282cf5c5529.pdf 70077.VOR.pdf 2025-07-31T13:22:25.8331865 Output 1059084 application/pdf Version of Record true © 2024 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
spellingShingle Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
Matthew Tarnowski
title_short Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
title_full Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
title_fullStr Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
title_full_unstemmed Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
title_sort Is a convivial synthetic biology possible?
author_id_str_mv f9d373dd511c85aae88d33cb57b1fff9
author_id_fullname_str_mv f9d373dd511c85aae88d33cb57b1fff9_***_Matthew Tarnowski
author Matthew Tarnowski
author2 Matthew Tarnowski
Mario Pansera
format Journal article
container_title Journal of Responsible Innovation
container_volume 11
container_issue 1
container_start_page 2351233
publishDate 2024
institution Swansea University
issn 2329-9460
2329-9037
doi_str_mv 10.1080/23299460.2024.2351233
publisher Informa UK Limited
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Synthetic biology predominantly follows a market-driven approach, both within the private sector and academia. We present a research journey undertaken by a synthetic biologist who received guidance from responsible innovation scholars, reflecting on the wider effects of synthetic biology technologies. The outcome is a re-evaluation of synthetic biology through the lens of ‘conviviality’, a concept introduced by Ivan Illich to designate a modern society of responsibly limited tools, where individual freedom is realised through personal interdependence. We find that in its current form, synthetic biology is not convivial since it relies on centralisation, monopolies and technologies which have the capacity to negatively affect the biosphere and its inhabitants. We argue that a broader conception of biotechnology, beyond genetics, is needed to conceive convivial biotechnologies. In our research journey we explore a range of approaches for responsible biotechnology innovation, which includes open-source, commons-based, decentralised organisations, and post-growth models.
published_date 2024-05-26T05:29:54Z
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score 11.444299

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