Synthetic Biology and Its Impact

The video explores the transformative potential of synthetic biology, highlighting its ability to merge natural and technological realms. It discusses the cultural, social, and political implications of genetic engineering, emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration of future technologies. The narrative is enriched with examples of innovative projects, such as color-changing bacteria and art-science collaborations, illustrating the intersection of biology, technology, and art. The speaker advocates for a future that embraces the complexity and interconnectedness of life, urging a reevaluation of our relationship with technology and nature.

What was the unique feature of the bacteria engineered by the Cambridge team?

• They could emit light in the dark.

• They could produce electricity.

• They could change color based on environmental stimuli.

• They could grow rapidly in any environment.

What was the narrator's initial concern about genetic engineering?

• It was more art than science.

• It was too complex to understand.

• It was not environmentally friendly.

• It was too expensive.

What role does the narrator currently hold at Ginkgo Bioworks?

• Project Manager

• Creative Director

• Lead Engineer

• Chief Scientist

What is one of the key questions synthetic biologists are encouraged to ask?

• How can we ask better questions about the future of technology?

• How can we eliminate all biological processes?

• How can we make technology more expensive?

• How can we create more complex machines?

What was the purpose of the cheese project mentioned by the narrator?

• To create a new type of cheese for commercial sale.

• To explore the connection between microbes and smell.

• To produce cheese using synthetic materials.

• To develop a cheese that never spoils.

What does the narrator suggest about the future of technology?

• It will be entirely digital.

• It will be dominated by artificial intelligence.

• It will eliminate the need for biology.

• It will be more fleshy and interconnected.

What project did artists Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr create?

• A self-healing concrete.

• A multicolored spider silk.

• A tiny leather jacket from mouse cells.

• A plastic-eating bacteria.

What does the narrator use genetic engineering for now?

• To design advanced computing systems.

• To develop new pharmaceuticals.

• To explore human and technological interconnections.

• To create new species.

What historical event does the narrator reference to discuss the impact of colonialism on science?

• The discovery of penicillin.

• The invention of the steam engine.

• The Industrial Revolution.

• The arrival of European settlers in Hawaii.

What was recreated using synthetic biology to connect with a lost natural element?

• The taste of ancient fruits.

• The smell of an extinct plant.

• The sound of extinct birds.

• The color of a vanished flower.