Organization

The International Association Synthetic Biology (IASB), based in Heidelberg (Germany), was founded by a consortium of biotech companies whose products and services are related to synthetic biology. The main focus of the association is the advancement and future development of synthetic biology.

Since synthetic biology and its fields of applications - the biotech and life sciences industries - are strongly globalized, the IASB is fostering international collaboration, both in the field of policy making and technical implementations to coordinate and harmonize policies and technical foundations.

The IASB is concerned with scientific and economic prospects of synthetic biology, as well as with the bioethical and biosecurity questions it raises. As an important part of its work the IASB will support the creation of an appropriate regulatory environment for synthetic biology in close cooperation with public authorities and international councils.

These efforts include the “Code of Conduct Project”. Among the goals of this project is development of best practice guidance for commercial gene synthesis operations as well as a seal of approval for the delivery of DNA elements.