Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves by Ed Regis, George M. Church

Synthetic biology is the emerging field of research wherein scientists attempt to “synthesize” living organisms, or biologically-inspired systems. In his book Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves, Ed Regis examines the potential implications of this novel science. Regenesis offers readers a tour of the new synthetic biology landscape and outlines its sweeping implications for nature, mankind, and the future of the world.

Regenesis opens with an exploration of the philosophical foundations of synthetic biology. Regis argues that this new form of engineering has the potential to shape our entire universe, allowing us to actively create and modify living organisms to fit our needs. Whereas traditional forms of biotechnology focus on tweaking existing organisms for practical applications, the new approach of synthetic biology is more radical: it seeks to fundamentally re-engineer genetic material to create entirely new living creatures. Synthetic biologists hope this approach will facilitate the industrial-scale production of nanomaterials as well as help cure genetic diseases and eventually even extend the human lifespan.

The rest of the book considers a variety of topics related to synthetic biology, including the risks associated with this form of research. Regis outlines the ethical, environmental, legal and safety concerns raised by synthetic biology, as well as its potential benefits. He also provides readers with an overview of the current state of the field, discussing both its technological and regulatory frameworks.

Regis offers a comprehensive survey of the many applications of synthetic biology and their implications. For instance, he details how the technology could be used to redesign food and agriculture, improve urban design, create new materials and energy sources, and advance medical treatments. He also discusses the potential to generate bio-computers, synthetic organs and tissues, and even living machines.

Ultimately, Regenesis provides readers with a valuable glimpse into the potential future of synthetic biology and its implications. By exploring the aspirations, fears, and implications of this emergent technology, Regis invites readers to consider what a world ruled by synthetic biology might look like. From unlikely medical treatments to designer organisms, synthetic biology has the potential to shape our universe in ways that we may never have predicted. It is this potential for transformation that Regis seeks to illuminate and explore in Regenesis.