Following The Ecologist's revelation about Ecover's use of synthetic biology to make laundry detergent, the company has put its trials on hold, writes Jim Thomas. But to regain public trust, the company must re-engage honestly with its critics, and its customers.
… Synthetic biology - Ecover must come clean Jim Thomas | … revelation about Ecover's use of synthetic biology to make laundry detergent, the company … using an algae oil produced using synthetic biology (Syn Bio), sometimes called 'extreme …
Scientists are on the brink of creating the world’s first artificial life form – a living organism never before found in nature. They promise solutions to everything from malaria to climate change. Salvation? Or a step too far?
… DNA RNA Gene Synthesis Transgenics Synthetic Biology Genetic Code Biotechnology … it from scratch. It's called synthetic biology, and it's poised to revolutionise our … and do it relatively cheaply. Synthetic biology represents a seismic shift in this …
Green soap-maker Ecover is the first company to openly admit that that it's using ingredients derived from 'synthetically modified organisms' - the next wave of GMOs - writes Jim Thomas. So why are they risking their ‘natural' brand for this experimental biotechnology?
… Ecover pioneers 'synthetic biology' in consumer products Jim Thomas | … in the world to reveal its use of synthetic biology in the manufacture of consumer … set of techniques called synthetic biology. Like many green-minded folks of my …
Ecover refutes allegations that it has been using 'synthetic biology' to make soap ingredients from algae. On the contrary, write Tom Domen & Dirk Develter, it's just old fashioned fermentation, and the company remains at the forefront of sustainability and responsible practice.
… allegations that it has been using 'synthetic biology' to make soap ingredients from algae. … produced by a process known as 'synthetic biology' that the process causes deforestation … Ecover as irresponsible. Synthetic biology The article states that Ecover …
Undeterred by a series of terrifying accidents, the Bush administration is pushing ahead with its potentially apocalyptic biological weapons programme.
One of our germs is missing Heather Wokusch | 1st June 2005 News Germs Health Policy Pharmaceuticals Health Pollution Science And Technology Society Undeterred by a series of terrifying accidents, …
Stop spending public funds on carbon capture failure – researchers.
CCS? FFS Simon Pirani | 17th April 2023 | Comment Carbon Capture And Storage CCS Climate Investigations Centre Inflation Reduction Act Energy Editor’s Picks …
Advocates claim that synthetic biology and the so-called New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) are distinct from genetic engineering (GE), write Helena Paul, Elisabeth Bücking & Ricarda Steinbrecher. In fact synthetic biology and NBTs carry similar risks to old-style GE, and even create novel hazards. The 'new GE' techniques - as they should be named - and their products deserve regulation at least as strict as those applying to GMOs.
… 'New Breeding Techniques' and synthetic biology - genetic engineering by another name … Advocates claim that synthetic biology and the so-called New Breeding … & Ricarda Steinbrecher. In fact synthetic biology and NBTs carry similar risks to …
Biological systems offer design strategies for successfully adapting to an age of climate change and resource depletion. Insights from nature will be essential in creating a green and sustainable future for humankind.
… disruptions are closer than ever. Biology lessons. So what can we learn from … of: "Toward Resilient Architectures 1: Biology Lessons", published in Metropolis …
More than 200 experts use Europe Day to call for systemic changes to deal with the climate crisis, species extinction and inequality
… ecologist, University of Silesia, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Poland … Professor at University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Poland Dr Zofia Prokop, evolutionary … Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology, Poland Dr hab. Łukasz Michalczyk, …
A synthetic biology plant producing the anti-malarial drug artemisinin has just shut down as it's much cheaper to use wormwood grown by African farmers, writes Almuth Ernsting. The technology is even further from making affordable diesel, with a production cost of $20-50 per litre. No wonder investors are losing patience - and confidence - in loss-making synbio companies.
… Oil: $30-35 per barrel. Synthetic biology diesel: $3,180 to $7,949 per barrel. … Renewables Ecology synbio.jpg A synthetic biology plant producing the anti-malarial drug … - in loss-making synbio companies. Synthetic biology is being heavily promoted and funded …
Wildlife exists by way of an evolved, synergistic machinery of incidental compassion and 'biological optimism' that is thrown off-balance by human intervention.
Cruel world or humane nature? Clifford Warwick | 20th May 2019 News Nature Animals Wildlife Psychology Thought Leaders wikunia-2777486_960_720.jpg Wildlife exists by way of an evolved, synergistic …
Human beings are now waging war against life itself as we continue to destroy not just individual lives, local populations and entire species in vast numbers but also the ecological systems that make life on Earth possible. By doing this we are now accelerating the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history and virtually eliminating any prospect of human survival, writes ROBERT J BURROWES
Ecologist Special Report: Biological Annihilation on Earth is Accelerating Robert J. Burrowes | 1st August 2017 News Extinction Ecology Planetary Boundary Science Survival Conservation extinction.jpg …
The biofuels of the future will depend on microbes, writes Almuth Ernsting: algae to produce the biomass, and fungi or bacteria to break cellulose down into useful molecules. Just one problem: wild strains aren't up to the job. So scientists are trying to genetically engineer supercharged 'synthetic biology' variants - which will inevitably enter the environment. What could possibly go wrong?
… genetically engineer supercharged 'synthetic biology' variants - which will inevitably … such as Abengoa and BP, and synthetic biology companies such as Amyris, Solazyme, … aren't up to the job. E nter synthetic biology Cellulosic biofuels thus rely on …
What kind of life really matters? Big, showy species, or the uncountable gadzillions of microbiota that do the biosphere's hard work, and whose DNA occupies every cell in our bodies and makes 'higher' life possible? Martin Spray on 'The amoeba in the room'.
… he finds is that "the way we teach biology is no more sensible than evaluating … is that if you have not been a student of biology in recent years, or do not keep an eye … Viruses, that still echoes in lay books on biology, is thoroughly misleading. The box …
Since Japanese knotweed won a gold medal in 1847 as 'interesting new ornamental of the year', it has become far too much of a good thing, writes Kate Constantine. But could the oriental triffid be tamed following the UK introduction of a specialist pest from Japan's volcanic uplands?
… weed in the EU. A key finding from invasion biology is that there is usually a time-lag …
The decision to leave the EU will have a major impact on environmental policy and legislation. How this will apply to the marine environment remains an issue of great debate. The British Ecological Society and Marine Biological Association came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from Brexit. Dr ABIGAL McQUATTERS-GOLLOP provides a summary of the findings
Priorities for the marine environment after Brexit Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop | 15th June 2018 Comment British Ecological Society. Marine Biological Society Brexit Marine Environment …
Debate around climate change is based on the idea that Earth is a purely physical and chemical entity, writes Lee Klinger. But what if Earth is a living system? Then things could turn out very differently - and we understand how, we need to develop a new Gaian science of planetary physiology.
… processes and feedbacks, the influence of biology is minor compared to the physics and … meltwaters plays a significant role in the biology of sea ice . Thus, the conditions …
Richard Wrangham's forthcoming book The Goodness Paradox explores the strange relationship between virtue and violence in human evolution. CURTIS ABRAHAM interviewed Wrangham for The Ecologist
… RW: The dichotomy implies that our biology, or evolutionary psychology, generates … influences on behavior from their shared biology. Studying non-human primates, … Whether or how a better understanding of the biology of human evolution will help make …
Farmers' first line of defence against pests is the ecosystem in and around their fields, write Jonathan Lundgren & Scott Fausti. With widespread or indiscriminate use of pesticides essential biodiversity is lost - and the result is more frequent and serious infestations, and a decline in food security.
Biodiversity is the best defence against corn pests Jonathan Lundgren Scott Fausti | 14th August 2015 Comment Farming Ecology USA Toxics Food Insects corn-beetle-cut.jpg Farmers' first line of …
Members of the food movement share an infectious vision, writes Jonathan Latham - one which is constructive, convivial, classless, raceless, international, and embraces the whole world. Unled yet inspirational, it rests on a novel, harmonious philosophy that combines science, recognition of planetary boundaries, and the universal need for wholesome sustenance.
… them with an understanding based on pure biology , the food movement is therefore in a … vision is wrong in that it trivialises biology. Food philosophy replaces this view … look past the standard mechanistic view of biology offered by celebrated scientists like …
The first Living Architecture prototype – the 'living brick' – was launched during the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2016. Professor RACHEL ARMSTRONG argues that this technology could revolutionise our relationship with the built environment
Living architecture: altering the environmental impacts of human development Rachel Armstrong | 5th April 2018 Comment Living Architecture Environmental Impacts Human Development …
From computer games to biohacking, digital designers are ditching music and video in favour of remastering a more exciting medium...
… thin. Thanks to the new tools of synthetic biology, Spore fans wanting to dabble in a … call this DIY genetic engineering ‘garage biology’ or ‘biohacking’. In Boston and San …
Modern agriculture - even among organic farmers - is often seen as a matter of soil chemistry, writes Lynda Brown. But an alternative view is gaining ground: that it's really about soil life. Nurture your soil-dwelling micro-organisms, and your crops look after themselves.
… soil turned on its head and find out why soil biology should matter to you. As most of us … that producing food presents. Get your soil biology right - ensuring the 'good guys' … inputs that destroy soil life. Get your soil biology right, and you don't need to spread …