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Anticipating governance challenges in synthetic biology: Insights from biosynthetic menthol

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  • Ribeiro, Barbara
  • Shapira, Philip

Abstract

This paper advances an anticipatory governance framework to investigate and prepare for the potential implications of an emerging technology. Within the growing domain of synthetic biology, we draw on an end-to-end assessment of biosynthetic menthol that incorporates consideration of multiple dimensions of production and use. Based on documentary analysis, available data, and interviews, our approach unfolds in three steps. First, we map the sociotechnical transition in menthol production, comparing existing agricultural and chemical production methods with new biosynthetic processes – or what we call the biological (bio) turn. Second, we explore the rationales, promises and expectations of menthol's bio-turn and explore the drivers of transition so as to clarify which goals and values innovation is addressing. Third, we reflect on the opportunities and challenges of such a transition to put forward an agenda for responsible innovation and anticipatory governance. The bio-turn in menthol is analysed through five responsible innovation dimensions: the potential distribution of benefits and burdens; social resilience; environmental sustainability; infrastructure and business models; and public perception and public interest. We consider the implications of our analysis both for the responsible development and application of synthetic biology for menthol and for the broader assessment and sociotechnical construction of emerging technologies.

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  • Ribeiro, Barbara & Shapira, Philip, 2019. "Anticipating governance challenges in synthetic biology: Insights from biosynthetic menthol," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 311-320.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:139:y:2019:i:c:p:311-320
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.11.020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philip Shapira & Seokbeom Kwon & Jan Youtie, 2017. "Tracking the emergence of synthetic biology," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(3), pages 1439-1469, September.
    2. Arnim Wiek & David Guston & Emma Frow & Jane Calvert, 2012. "Sustainability and Anticipatory Governance in Synthetic Biology," International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), IGI Global, vol. 3(2), pages 25-38, April.
    3. Kumar, Sanjay & Suresh, Ram & Singh, Virendra & Singh, A.K., 2011. "Economic Analysis of Menthol Mint Cultivation in Uttar Pradesh: A Case Study of Barabanki District," Agricultural Economics Research Review, Agricultural Economics Research Association (India), vol. 24(2), December.
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    5. Brigit Obrist & Constanze Pfeiffer & Robert Henley, 2010. "Multi†layered social resilience," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 10(4), pages 283-293, October.
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    7. Ribeiro, Barbara E. & Quintanilla, Miguel A., 2015. "Transitions in biofuel technologies: An appraisal of the social impacts of cellulosic ethanol using the Delphi method," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 53-68.
    8. Kirsten Maclean & Michael Cuthill & Helen Ross, 2014. "Six attributes of social resilience," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(1), pages 144-156, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. James Karabin & Izaac Mansfield & Emma K Frow, 2021. "Exploring presentations of sustainability by US synthetic biology companies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Rödl, Malte B. & Boons, Frank & Spekkink, Wouter, 2022. "From responsible to responsive innovation: A systemic and historically sensitive approach to innovation processes," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    4. Ribeiro, Barbara & Shapira, Philip, 2020. "Private and public values of innovation: A patent analysis of synthetic biology," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).

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