Synthetic biology in focus

Synthetic biology promises to revolutionise a swath of industrial activities and create new ones by tailoring living systems to produce a range of products to boost economies, transform health and contribute to solving grand societal challenges. In 2023 and 2024, over sixty experts from around the globe came together regularly to explore where synthetic biology will have the most impact, identify the challenges and opportunities in developing and deploying synthetic biology around the world, and to explore areas where policy could help. This working paper provides a synthesis of this scoping activity, providing an accessible text for those new to the rapidly evolving area of synthetic biology.