Assessing synthetic biology from a societal and ethical perspective is not only a matter of determining possible harms and benefits of synthetic biology applications. Synthetic biology also incorporates a specific technoscientific understanding of its research agenda and its research objects that has philosophical and ethical implications. This edited volume sets out to explore and evaluate these synthetic biology worldviews and it proposes appropriate governance measures. In addition, legal challenges are discussed.

Introduction: Synthetic biology contextualized.- I. Concepts, Metaphors, Worldviews.- II. Public Good and Private Ownership. Social and Legal Ramifications.- III. Opportunities, Risks, Politics.

Dr. Joachim Boldt is Deputy Director at the Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin in Freiburg (Germany).