Nesta presents evidence for and against betting on synthetic biology, a powerful emerging technology, to tackle the climate crisis.

Tech in the Dock puts an emerging technology on trial to examine its potential impact on society. Nesta is asking - should synthetic biology be the next decade’s big bet to tackle climate change?

As a member of the jury, welcome you to today’s case. 

Synthetic or ‘engineered’ biology is one of the UK government’s priority technologies, having shown promise for improving human health, agriculture and manufacturing.

However, there could be pitfalls to adopting this new tech: unknown environmental impacts, questionable ethics and complex global coordination - are they worth the risk? 

You be the judge https://www.nesta.org.uk/feature/tech-in-the-dock-synthetic-biology/