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Nature 438, 423 (24 November 2005) | doi:10.1038/438423a; Published online 23 November 2005

Let us go forth and safely multiply

George Church1

  1. George Church is in the Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Synthetic biology, which involves the engineering of new biological components and organisms and the redesign of existing ones, will require community discipline and openness if it is to flourish safely, says George Church.

The developing field of 'synthetic biology' could be seen as yet another expression of scientific hubris. It has potential benefits, such as the development of low-cost drugs or the production of chemicals and energy by engineered bacteria.

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