Emerging technologies and sustainable development: How can responsible research and innovation impact the emergence of synthetic biology in the Low- a

Emerging technologies have been heralded as tools that can provide 'technological fixes' to existential threats facing society, allowing sustainable development whilst combatting issues such as climate change, poor food security and environmental degradation. Nevertheless, it is important that emerging technologies are assessed to ensure that potential negative consequences are anticipated, and to co-ordinate technological transitions with broader notions of sustainability. One such technological transition is the concept of a bioeconomy, in which bio-based products and processes contribute to a wide range of economic activities. This has led to the formation of bio-based innovation and business models that acknowledge prospects of sustainability and resource efficiency. Countries at the spearhead of biotechnological innovation are benefiting from investment into bioeconomy strategy, and a switch to a bioeconomy has been recognised for the potential to impact sustainable development in the Global South.

At the frontier of biotechnological research is the field of synthetic biology (SynBio) wherein the principles of engineering are used to manipulate biological parts and systems. A major proclaimed advantage of synthetic biology is that it provides an alternative route to production when compared to traditional energy and resource intensive processes. This reduces dependence on fossil fuels and results in an environmentally sustainable shift towards improved food security, healthcare and reduction of poverty in general. Synthetic biology is expected to be instrumental in the maturation of the bioeconomy, highlighting the link between synthetic biology and sustainable economic development.

Steps towards assessment of SynBio have been made in some countries; however, evaluation in the context of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) is yet to be investigated. This leads to the proposal that SynBio should be explored as part of a Science, Technology and Innovation Policy PhD under the principles of responsible research and innovation (RRI), incorporating the dimension of development as a novel approach.

This thesis will utilise a range of methods to explore the emergence of SynBio in LMICs, facilitating deliberative dialogue amongst stakeholders. Three distinct pathways of SynBio emergence will be critically assessed to produce innovation management and policy recommendations, namely open technology initiatives, international research collaboration and national research and innovation strategy.

The three papers will be founded within the paradigm that anticipatory governance must unite traditional forms of expert-based analysis with deliberative approaches founded in social science. The project aims to open up mutually beneficial dialogue between stakeholders regarding sustainability, while investigating the principles of RRI in LMICs. A subsequent aim is to test the constructive sustainability assessment (CSA) framework, which enables the use of multiple methods during technology assessment. This may show that additional measures are required to streamline CSA with concepts of economic development.

The first paper will focus on the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, which involves access to an open parts-based registry to design and produce organisms with the capability to solve real world problems. The 'open source/hackathon' nature of the competition, alongside strong themes of RRI, provides an interesting example to investigate an innovation model that may have a significant influence on sustainable SynBio emergence. The second paper will explore the effectiveness of GCRF-BBSRC international research collaboration for SynBio innovation and sustainable implementation. The third paper aims to concurrently and prospectively analyse the way that policy in Brazil's National Innovation System (NIS) impacts sustainable SynBi