Background

In light of the ongoing debates about the potential benefits and risks of researching synthetic biology, mirror-image molecular biology, and other unnatural biological systems, we, as a community of researchers in related fields, have come together to establish principles and values that promote socially responsible research by fostering collaboration, ensuring safety, promoting transparency, and benefiting humanity. Guided by these values, we have developed a series of voluntary commitments for researchers in synthetic biology and mirror-image molecular biology, and we invite all stakeholders to observe, evaluate, and contribute to the ongoing refinement of these commitments as related technologies evolve and new breakthroughs emerge.

Voluntary commitments

Each commitment is presented with potential implementation strategies, which are illustrative rather than exhaustive. As signatories, we affirm our agreement to the following voluntary commitments and pledge to enact them in ways consistent with our respective professional roles and individual circumstances.

1. Beneficial research

We pledge to advance human welfare through breakthroughs in health, sustainability, and social equity, and to carefully evaluate risks, anticipate and avoid potentially harmful applications, and ensure that our work aligns with society’s most pressing needs and ethical standards.

2. Responsible technology development

We will rigorously assess and address chemical and biological safety risks in designing and synthesizing mirror-image biomolecular systems prior to implementing research. We will withhold any research for which significant risks remain unresolved, including but not limited to synthetic, semi-synthetic biological entities, engineered cells, and modified organisms of either chirality with the potential to endanger human health or environmental stability, the design and synthesis of molecules that are toxic or pathogenic, and the production of large quantities of molecules that could pollute the environment.

3. Secure procurement

We will provide support for sourcing experimental materials in synthetic biology and mirror-image molecular biology studies, ensuring that all materials come exclusively from providers employing rigorous biosecurity screening, and will advocate for industry-wide safety standards and comprehensive record-keeping.

4. Risk evaluation and mitigation

We are committed to improving safety control measures and enhancing risk assessment frameworks in synthetic biology and mirror-image molecular biology through multidisciplinary risk evaluation, technical partnerships, vulnerability assessments, and the development of advanced safety tools. All research activities will undergo ethical and safety review by relevant institutional biosafety and bioethical committees, with appropriate biosafety levels determined and applied on a case-by-case basis in accordance with established standards.

5. Animal welfare and safety

We recognize our ethical responsibility to minimize the use of animals and to uphold high standards of animal welfare in all research involving animal models, including but not limited to the testing of unnatural biomolecules as diagnostics and therapeutics. We are committed to minimizing the risk of transfer or transmission of experimental agents from animals to humans or the environment, including the risks of unintended release or contamination. We will transparently disclose the scientific rationale for animal use and describe the measures implemented to minimize harm in both scientific and public communications.

6. Ethical oversight

We are committed to fostering a culture of transparency and responsibility, and will uphold high standards of research integrity by rigorously adhering to ethical guidelines and best practices, ensuring that all research activities are conducted ethically and in the best interests of both science and society. Furthermore, we will convene scientific meetings with experts and regulators to evaluate ongoing developments and emerging concerns in the field.

7. Responsible publication of research

We encourage open sharing of research results and pledge transparency in all research activities. We will publish our research in synthetic biology, mirror-image molecular biology, and other unnatural biological systems in a responsible and transparent manner. All publications and communications will comply with ethical standards and respect safety, security, and societal considerations. By promoting openness and accountability, we aim to foster trust within the scientific community and with the public.

8. Public engagement

We will communicate both the benefits and risks of our research to ensure clear and comprehensive disclosure of potential opportunities, challenges, and safeguards when sharing research outcomes with the scientific community and the general public. We are committed to presenting our findings in a manner that is accessible, accurate, and subject to scrutiny, thereby fostering public trust, open dialogue, and responsible research.

9. Continual improvement

We are committed to regularly reviewing and updating these voluntary commitments to reflect advances in science, technology, and societal expectations. By fostering a culture of constructive dialogue, we aim to continually strengthen our standards of responsibility and integrity, and to advance responsible research in synthetic biology and mirror-image molecular biology.

About

This community statement originated from discussions among an international group of scientists in related fields.

Suggested citation: Responsible research in synthetic biology and mirror-image molecular biology (2025). https://responsiblesynbio.org/