Health-EU

Scientists examine the potential – and the risks – of Synthetic Biology

by Theo Vermeire, Head of Department Nanotechnology, Occupational Health and Transport Safety Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, RIVM, The Netherlands. Chair of the Scientific Committees Working Group on the SynBio Opinions

SCENIHR, SCHER and SCCS Opinions on Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology (SynBio) has already delivered important products to the market such as yeast-synthesized artemisinin and biodegradable plastics produced from sugars. There is a potential for substantial contributions to medicine, materials, chemistry, food, nutrition, energy, sustainability, waste treatment, and safety. Yet, like for many new and emerging technologies, there is controversy leading to fierce debates on SynBio’s potential for societal benefit, or risks.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity held its 12th Conference of t [...]

In this edition

Read the full focus of this edition  »

Opinions adopted 

The most recent opinions adopted are the following 

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER SAFETY (SCCS) 

Opinion on Basic Blue 99 Submission III (C59). This is one of many Opinions the SCCS has adopted concerning the ingredients in hair dyes and cosmetics.  »

Revision of the Opinion on Acid Orange 7 (C15)  »

Revision of the Opinion on the safety of the use of formaldehyde in nail hardeners  »

Revision of the Opinion on Hydrolysed wheat proteins - Sensitisation only  »

Revision of the Opinion on HAA299 used as a UV filter in sunscreen products  »

Revision of the Opinion for clarification of the meaning of the term "sprayable applications/products" for the nano forms of Carbon Black CI 77266, Titanium Oxide and Zinc Oxide  »

Revision of the Addendum to the SCCS's Notes of Guidance (NoG) for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients and their Safety Evaluation, 8th Revision  »

Memorandum on Endocrine Disruptors  »

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS (SCHER) 

Preliminary Opinion on chromium VI in toys  »

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON EMERGING AND NEWLY IDENTIFIED HEALTH RISKS (SCENIHR) 

Final Opinion on the Safety of Metal-on-Metal joint replacements with a particular focus on hip implants  »

Preliminary Opinion on the safety of medical devices containing DEHP- plasticized PVC or other plasticizers on neonates and other groups possibly at risk (2014 update)  »

Preliminary Opinion on the safety of dental amalgam and alternative dental restoration materials for patients and users  »

Final Opinion on the Definition of Synthetic Biology I  »

Preliminary Opinion on Synthetic Biology II: Risk assessment methodologies and safety aspects  »

Final Opinion on ‘Guidance on the Determination of Potential Health Effects of Nanomaterials Used in Medical Devices’  »

 All opinions

Ongoing work 

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER SAFETY (SCCS) 

The full list of SCCS mandates may be consulted on the Scientific Committees website.  »

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS (SCHER) 

Potential risks to human health and the environment from the use of calcium cyanamide as fertiliser  »

New conclusions regarding future trends of cadmium accumulation in EU arable soils  »

The full list of SCHER mandates may be consulted on the Scientific Committees website.  »

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON EMERGING AND NEWLY IDENTIFIED HEALTH RISKS (SCENIHR) 

Synthetic Biology III - Research priorities  »

The safety of surgical meshes used in urogynecological surgery  »

Priority List of Additives used in Tobacco Products  »

Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)  »

The safety of the use of Bisphenol A in medical devices  »

The full list of SCENIHR mandates may be consulted on the Scientific Committees website.  »

 All mandates

Public consultations and calls 

SCCS – Three new Opinions open for comments through 30 January, 2015  »

Comments are welcome on the Addendum to the Opinion on Ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl - SCCS/1543/14, on the Opinion on Basic Blue 124 - SCCS/1542/14 and on the Revision of the Opinion on the safety of poly(hexamethylene) biguanide hydrochloride SCCS/1535/14.

SCENIHR opens Public Consultation on the Preliminary Opinion on Synthetic Biology II: Risk assessment methodologies and safety aspects through 3 February 2015  »

 All consultations

eNews 

Joint Committee - Public consultation on the Preliminary Opinion on Synthetic Biology II Risk assessment methodologies and safety aspects  »

SCENIHR - Public consultation on the Preliminary Opinion on The safety of medical devices containing DEHP- plasticized PVC or other plasticizers on neonates and other groups possibly at risk  »

SCENIHR - Final opinion on the safety of Metal-on-Metal joint replacements with a particular focus on hip implants  »

SCENIHR - Newly published Opinion on definition of SynBio lays foundation for future work  »

SCHER - Public consultation on the draft Opinion on chromium VI in toys  »

SCENIHR - Public consultation on the Preliminary Opinion - Guidance on the Determination of Potential Health Effects of Nanomaterials Used in Medical Devices  »

EU Health Prize for Journalists – Articles 

"Downs Syndrome, prenatal test for sale: experimental and not yet approved," by Sabrina Provenzani, 2013 winner for Italy  »

The article highlights the possible risks associated with prenatal tests for Down's Syndrome.

Meetings 

The Inter Committee Coordination Group networks and discusses activities  »

Read the Agenda and minutes of the 16 October meeting here.

SCCS - Plenary meetings  »

The 7th and 8th Plenary meetings of SCCS took place on 23 September and 16 December 2014, respectively. Read the agenda and minutes of these meetings here.

SCHER - Plenary meetings of the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks  »

The 8th and 9th Plenary meetings of SCHER took place on 19 September and 28 November 2014, respectively. Read the agenda and minutes of these meetings here.

SCENIHR - Plenary meetings  »

The 7th and 8th Plenary meetings took place on 24-25 September and 20 November 2014, respectively. Read the agenda and minutes of these meetings here.

Publications 

'Science' magazine editorial says SynBio opinions will have "substantial global impact"  »

The editorial of the prestigious magazine's January 2015 edition says that the draft Opinions by the Commission's independent Scientific Committees could have substantial impact on shaping European and global synthetic biology policy for years to come. Read the editorial here:

'The Guardian's' Science Weekly focuses on SynBio and the Commission's Opinions  »

'The Guardian's' Science Weekly podcast of 12 January 2015 mentioned and linked to the Opinions on SynBio by the European Commission's Scientific Committees. Hear the podcast here.

Events 

IDEA second Annual Review workshop (Luxembourg, 17 December 2014)  »

This workshop reported on the progress of the IDEA project about risk assessment methodologies, processes and criteria to identify fragrance allergens of concern.

GLORE Conference 2014 - Global Coordination of Research and Health Policy on RF Electromagnetic Fields (Luxembourg, 19 – 20 November 2014)  »

Delegations from Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea and the USA, composed by scientists and policy authorities met to present, discussed research activities, health risk management and risk communication on the possible effects of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) on health.