How synthetic biology can improve our health, food and materials | Emily Leproust

The video discusses the unsustainable path humanity is on due to the pressure on nature. It emphasizes the need for global changes in sustainability, integrating the environment, people, and economy. The key to achieving this is through biological innovation, particularly synthetic biology, which can improve health, food, and materials sustainably. The video highlights the economic benefits and job creation potential of synthetic biology, urging a balance between human benefits and nature.

What is the main message about nature's interaction with human activities?

• Nature is indifferent to human activities.

• Nature is solely dependent on human intervention.

• Nature is completely unaffected by human developments.

• Nature is trying to balance the impact of human activities.

What does modern sustainability integrate?

• Only the environment

• The environment, people, and the economy

• Technology and innovation

• Individual efforts and recycling

What is synthetic biology primarily based on?

• Mechanical engineering

• Traditional farming techniques

• Chemical reactions

• DNA, the code of life

How has synthetic biology impacted insulin production?

• It has made insulin production more expensive.

• It has eliminated the need for animal pancreas extraction.

• It has reduced the effectiveness of insulin.

• It has increased the dependency on factory farms.

What is a benefit of using synthetic biology in agriculture?

• Higher food costs

• Decreased crop yields

• Increased use of chemical fertilizers

• Elimination of the need for fossil fuel-based fertilizers

What is a sustainable alternative to using shark liver for squalene production?

• Extracting from whale blubber

• Harvesting from deep-sea fish

• Fermentation of cane sugar

• Using synthetic oils

What is a potential future application of synthetic spider silk?

• Manufacturing traditional clothing

• Building stronger bridges

• Creating lightweight planes and flying cars

• Producing heavy machinery

What is a key economic advantage of synthetic biology?

• It creates menial jobs.

• It relies heavily on non-renewable resources.

• It increases the cost of production.

• It reduces costs and creates meaningful jobs.

How does synthetic biology contribute to environmental sustainability?

• By promoting deforestation

• By increasing pollution

• By reducing reliance on fossil fuels

• By depleting natural resources

What is the moral imperative mentioned in the conclusion?

• To prioritize technology over the environment

• To balance human benefits with nature in harmony

• To ignore sustainability for economic growth

• To choose between human benefits and nature