Philip Shapira, part-time professor in the School of Public Policy, served as lead author on an article published in Issues in Science and Technology. The essay is titled “Building a Bottom-up Bioeconomy.”

In it, Shapira and his co-authors discuss how engineering biology, or that “which combines biology, engineering, and information technology to produce bio-based materials and products,” can reshape society for the better. They argue, however, that to do this, policymakers, researchers, and other members of bioengineered communities need to utilize this technology with equity in mind.

“Without deep social engagement, the field risks repeating the mistakes of the past and reinforcing currently inadequate economic and ecological systems,” the authors write. “Reimagined in this way, engineering biology could play a critical role in realizing not just a vibrant bioeconomy, but a sustainable, resilient, and equitable one as well.”

Read the full article at https://issues.org/building-bioeconomy-engineering-biology-shapira/.