Browsing by Author "Mitra, Aishwarya Sparky"

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    1.5 Identifying and Addressing the Risk of the Environmental Release of Organisms — Engineered or Natural
    (Rice University, 2025) Chemla, Yonatan; Alexanian, Tessa; Barrios, Felix Moronta; Demirer, Gozde; Flores, Alonso; Karthikeyan, Smruthi; Lindner, Ariel B.; Mackelprang, Becky; Marken, John; Mitra, Aishwarya Sparky; Molla, Kutubuddin A.; Rudenko, Larisa; Syberg-Olsen, Mitchell J.; Wu, Felicia; Silberg, Jonathan (Joff); Voigt, Christopher A.
    The environmental release of both engineered and non-engineered organisms for Biotechnologies Beyond Conventional Containment (BBCC) offers unique solutions to pressing global challenges, including the prevention of soil degradation, the attenuation of nitrogen pollution, the replacement of harmful pesticides and herbicides, the remediation of anthropogenic contaminants and ‘forever chemicals’ mitigation. An evaluation of impacts, both positive and negative, rather than arbitrary prohibitions, is crucial for advancing the responsible use of organisms intentionally released into the environment. The history of biological interventions demonstrates that organisms have successfully contributed to agriculture, pollution remediation, ecosystem restoration, waste upcycling, and pest control, yet their full potential remains constrained by regulatory hurdles that do not fully account for modern scientific advancements. At the same time, some releases serve as cautionary tales, having caused harm due to a lack of regulation and monitoring. Unlike chemicals released to the environment, organisms — particularly those designed or selected for specific functions — can be managed with built-in safeguards, ranging from physical and genetic containment strategies to controlled ecological interactions to mitigate risks while maximizing benefits. Advancements in precision engineering, computational modeling, and real-time monitoring technologies now allow for unprecedented accuracy in tracking, assessing, and controlling the environmental impact of released organisms — capabilities inaccessible when recombinant DNA technology first emerged 50 years ago. Many regulatory structures were developed decades before today’s explosion of biological knowledge and insight was even imaginable. This resulted in our current policies that have become restrictive, limiting the deployment of innovative and promising biological solutions. A new approach to risk analysis is now needed that accounts for changes in science, and in society, which assesses the environmental release of natural, evolved, and engineered organisms based on their functions rather than their origin or how they were developed. By modernizing these frameworks to emphasize continuous assessment, real-world data collection, and adaptive risk assessment and management, stakeholders can create a regulatory pathway for the sustainable, responsible, and evidence-based integration of environmental biological technologies.
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    4.1 Safeguarding the Benefits of Synthetic Cell Engineering
    (Rice University, 2025) Smith, James A.; Wagstaff, James; Glass, John; de C. Bittencourt, Daniela Matias; Mitra, Aishwarya Sparky; Chitayat, Liyam; Adamala, Katarzyna P.
    The report outlines the transformative potential of synthetic cells in addressing global challenges through innovation in fields like medicine, energy, and education, while emphasizing their role as safe, accessible models for biological research. It advocates for responsible development through global collaboration, inclusive education, open science practices, and harmonized international governance to ensure equitable and secure deployment.
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    6.2 Accessible Biotech Education
    (Rice University, 2025) Kiattisewee, Cholpisit Ice; do Nascimento, Cibele Zolnier Sousa; Elcock, Leon B. III; Seah, Adeline; Mitra, Aishwarya Sparky; Neira, Diego Muñoz; Kato, Sebunya Emmanuel; Lindner, Ariel; Thaweechuen, Jirapat; Vigar, Justin R.J.; Kong, David
    This Entreaty is developed in response to the discussion in “Essential education for the Biotechnologists of 2075” as part of “Framing Biotechnology’s Future” theme at the Spirit of Asilomar conference. This session is the only technical session with “Education” keyword ties to the secession name with 1 hour budgeted time. Even though the topic appeared much less frequent in the program, conversations centered on education had been touched as much as other topics during the meeting.
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    6.3 Community biology: Advancing responsible biotech innovation
    (Rice University, 2025) Jannah, Roudlotul; Anjum, Bushra E.; Lardner, Casey; Chappell, Callie R.; Palmer, Xavier-Lewis; Perez, Rolando; Mitra, Aishwarya Sparky; Camenares, Devin; Seah, Adeline; Kong, David; Elcock, Leon B.; Flores, WariNkwi; Thaweechuen, Jirapat
    Community biology is a grassroots movement that can empower individuals and communities outside the traditional academic and industrial silos. It can offer local solutions to global challenges through community engagement and empowerment by establishing “third spaces” like community labs. These more accessible spaces can improve equity, resilience, and innovation with biotechnology that has already existed in local communities across the globe. To further illustrate its potential, compelling case studies of the diverse impact of community biology initiatives globally are provided. In this entreaty, we provide a call to action to support community biology globally by forging new partnerships, building needed infrastructure, and securing sources of funding. Recognizing community biology as essential infrastructure is paramount to ensuring that the benefits of biotechnology are realized by all.