English Learning: What is synthetic biology? | Amy Webb | WEF
Synthetic biology, a young science, is on the brink of a significant transformation. In the very near future, this science will make the leap that will literally change life as we know it. The question that arises is: How do we ensure that these changes are for the better?
Life is becoming programmable, and it’s happening now, not somewhere off in the distant future. This emerging field of science allows us to harness what already exists in nature and understand it at a molecular or code level, much like how computers speak in the language of 1s and 0s.
Programming life might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s becoming a reality. It’s akin to rewriting the very instructions of existence. However, it’s not without potential perils – possible dangers that we must navigate.
One fascinating example is the ability to engineer organisms to turn organic waste into compost. This approach is less resource-intensive and can help combat the excessive amounts of CO2 currently plaguing us, benefiting all facets of our lives.
Yet, this incredible power could also bring a host of risks, including cyber biomalware that might intercept and manipulate genetic codes, turning innocuous genetic materials into deadly pathogens.
We must establish guard rails and ethical frameworks because they don’t yet exist in this teeny-tiny world of synthetic biology. We need to ensure that this technology is embraced for the betterment of all, and we don’t wind up with a new type of digital divide where access to its benefits is unevenly distributed.
In conclusion, synthetic biology offers immense potential to reshape our world. What the future holds for this quickly evolving science is uncertain, but by approaching it with care and responsibility, we can unlock its full potential while minimizing the potential perils, all for the betterment of humanity.
The most important phrases mentioned in the video
- In the very near future, this science will make the leap
- How do we ensure these changes are for the better?
- It’s not somewhere off in the distant future, it’s now
- The potential perils?
- Understand it at a molecular or a code levelجزيئي
- Engineer of re-engineer organisms: entities that can carry out life processes, such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, and response to stimuli.
- Programming life sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie فيلم خيال علمي
- It was not an attenuated virus: فيروس مخفف
- What does the future hold for such a quickly evolving science?
- The excessive amounts of CO2 currently plaguing us التي ابتلينا بها
- Great analogy: تشبيه عظيم
- When someone says “great analogy,” they are usually expressing that they found the comparison to be effective, insightful, or helpful in understanding the topic being discussed
- It’s taking what we already have and “re-perceiving it”: looking at or experiencing something in a new or different way
- It could also bring “a host of” risks
- Somebody was able to “intercept” that new genetic code when it got sent out and what left the lab as a totally “innocuous” genetic material was sent potentially back as a deadly “pathogen”
- Intercept: To intercept means to interrupt or seize something while it is in transit or in the process of being transferred from one place to another
- Innocuous: Innocuous means harmless or not causing harm
- Pathogen: a microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, that can cause disease in a host organism
- Doesn’t further entrench the divisions and inequalities of today ترسيخ
- To be more resistant to certain disease
- We “wind up” with a new type of digital divide in a way فجوة رقمية
- “wind up with” is an informal way of saying “end up with” or “result in”
- it’s teeny tiny
- It does beg the question
- Guard rails
- Embracing this technology for the betterment of all