The Joint Genome Institute’s Synthetic Biology Internal Review Process

Serious concerns have been raised over the possible intentional use of synthetic biology approaches to engineer pathogenic organisms as well as the possible accidental environmental release of genetically engineered organisms. Scientists pursuing synthetic biology research must diligently consider issues such as these. As such, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has developed a Synthetic Biology Internal Review process to assess, beyond technical and scientific merit, certain broader aspects (e.g., environmental, biocontainment, biosafety, or biosecurity) of the research proposals associated with the JGI’s DNA Synthesis Science program. The purpose of this internal review process is two-fold: 1) to assess the broader aspects of the research, request proposal modifications if issues of concern are not sufficiently addressed in the proposal, reject research proposals where issues of concern are not or can not be satisfactorily addressed, and output a paper-trail audit of the review process; and 2) to encourage and educate researchers to more extensively consider the broader aspects of their research, including beyond the immediate research itself.

All JGI DNA Synthesis Science proposals (including those from the JGI Community Science Program and from the DOE Bioenergy Research Centers) contain a broader implications section dedicated to a brief discussion of these broader aspects. This broader implications statement should address not merely the possible rewards but also a considered statement of the risks associated with the work. These statements serve as a useful tool to protect not only the public, but the Investigators (and their institutions), as well as JGI itself. These statements are examples of consideration and deliberation of the responsible application of science. As members of the research community, we must consider risks, and be able to show our consideration of those risks - even if they are demonstrably small.

This poster will include an update of the JGI's Synthetic Biology Internal Review process statistics to-date, including the number of reviewers (and distribution between internal and external), the number of proposals reviewed, the number of reviewer comments across proposals (and distribution across comment categories), as well as review process outcomes across proposals. These review process statistics, along with lessons learned and process improvements made at the JGI over the past 2 and a half years, provide funding agencies insight into the resource requirements and benefits of such an institutional review process, and facilitate and support the successful deployment of similar review processes at other research institutions.