Rethinking Life: Ethical, Legal, and Social Dimensions of Synthetic Genomes, Minimal Cells, and Xenobiology

Synthetic biology has entered a transformative phase in which the fundamental parameters of what constitutes life are being experimentally redefined. The field has advanced from theoretical constructs to tangible achievements such as the synthesis of JCVI-Syn3.0, the creation of cells with minimal genomes, and the development of xenobiological systems incorporating non-canonical nucleotides and orthogonal genetic architectures. These technologies challenge conventional frameworks in biology, ethics, and law by blurring the line between the natural and the artificial. While these scientific milestones expand the possibilities for understanding and designing life, they also unsettle existing regulatory, safety, and intellectual property frameworks and raise profound bioethical questions regarding human responsibility in reshaping living systems. Despite progress in biosafety protocols and discussions on biosecurity and dual use, there is still a lack of consensus on how these developments should be governed at both national and international levels.This Research Topic aims to explore the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of synthetic life forms, specifically focusing on synthetic genomes, minimal cells, and xenobiological constructs. The goal is to integrate perspectives from empirical research, bioethics, policy, and governance studies to better understand how the scientific creation of novel biological systems intersects with societal values, regulatory structures, and global risk governance. This Research Topic seeks to address key questions: What constitutes life when it can be designed and built from scratch? How can governance, biosafety, and intellectual property frameworks evolve to keep pace with these innovations? How can we ensure that the benefits of synthetic life are realized responsibly?The scope of this Research Topic encompasses empirical, conceptual, and policy-oriented studies that examine the intersection between life design and its broader societal implications. It brings together expertise from synthetic biology, genome engineering, science policy, bioethics, law, and governance. To gather further insights into these multifaceted domains, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Governance frameworks and oversight mechanisms for minimal and xenobiological cells- Ethical and philosophical implications of defining and constructing life- Biosafety and biosecurity assessments for synthetic organisms beyond natural categories- Intellectual property and patenting challenges in minimal genome and xenobiology research- International regulation and trade considerations for synthetic life forms- Dual-use research of concern (DURC) and responsible innovation in synthetic biology- Laboratory practices and field experiences integrating ELSI analysis into technical research- Public engagement and communication strategies for the governance of synthetic life Topic editors: Dov Greenbaum Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80552/rethinking-life-ethical-legal-and-social-dimensions-of-synthetic-genomes-minimal-cells-and-xenobiology