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• Findings and recommendations

Dialogue activities:

Findings and recommendations

The findings of the synthetic biology public dialogue were published on 14 June 2010 at an event in London.

Six areas of the report were highlighted for further consideration and action:

• The uniqueness of synthetic biology
• The leadership and funding roles of the Research Councils
• Developing the capabilities for the scientists to think through responsibilities
• What innovation looks like under these circumstances
• Controlling the science
• Future dialogue

The report, and supporting materials, can be found below. Hard copies are available on request.

BBSRC and EPSRC have considered the report's recommendations and have now written to everyone who contributed to the Synthetic Biology Dialogue report setting out the actions the research councils will take in response. A copy of this response letter can be downloaded below.

• Synthetic biology dialogue report (PDF 2.69MB)
• Summary report (PDF 748KB)
• BBSRC/EPSRC response (PDF 96KB)

• Synthetic biology dialogue methodology (PDF 158KB)
• Synthetic biology dialogue data collection and analysis (PDF 29KB)
• Synthetic biology topic guides (PDF 575KB)
• Synthetic biology dialogue workshop 1 (PDF 37KB)
• Synthetic biology dialogue workshop 2 (PDF 227KB)
• Synthetic biology dialogue workshop 3 (PDF 193KB)

Evaluators, Laura Grant Associates, have been involved in this dialogue from the outset. Their interim report covers the period to the launch of TNS-BMRB's report in June 2010. Their final report details findings from a 6 month follow-up study carried out to understand where the dialogue has had influence. Both reports are available below.

• Synthetic biology dialogue evaluation - Interim report (PDF 1.17MB)
• Synthetic biology dialogue evaluation - Final report (PDF 3.66MB)
• Supplementary material – high resolution figures (PDF 110KB)

Videos from the launch event

Videos of the individual presentations from the launch event are available on the EPSRC website:

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - introduction (external link)

Introduction from Professor Lord Winston to the BBSRC-EPSRC Synthetic Biology Public Dialogue report followed by a presentation from Stephen Axford.

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - background (external link)

Dr Brian Johnson, Dialogue Chair. Background information on synthetic biology and the need for dialogue.

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - findings and recommendations (external link)

Dr Darren Bhattachary, TNS-BMRB Executive Director. The dialogue and the main findings and recommendations.

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - need for dialogues (external link)

Professor David Delpy, EPSRC Chief Executive on why the Research Councils feel it is important carry out dialogues.

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - next steps (external link)

Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive on what we are going to do next to ensure the report has influence on the Research Councils and more broadly.

Synthetic biology public dialogue launch - questions (external link)

Questions to the Panel at an event in London to launch the report of Synthetic Biology Public Dialogue.

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