The German government…is none too pleased with [how easily people can conduct gene editing experiments outside of labs thanks to advances in science]…[Its] consumer protection office [recently] issued a statement: Any science enthusiast doing genetic engineering outside of a licensed facility, it wrote, might face a fine of €50,000 or up to three years in prison.
The statement sent a wave of shock through the DIY bio community.
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The law behind the German DIY bio crackdown isn’t new. The government was simply reminding so-called biohackers of a long-existing law that forbids genetic engineering experiments outside of laboratories supervised and licensed by the state.
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Related on the SLP
“I’m pretty sure that laws will prohibit me from continuing my research at a later state,” said Bruno Lederer, a German biohacker who hopes that loopholes in the law will allow his work to continue for now. “I think it’s a shame that I’d have to do illegal things in order to do independent research.”
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Community biology labs…shouldn’t have an issue getting licensed. But not every DIY scientist lives near or has the resources to join a community lab. If the DIY bio movement is about making science accessible to those outside the Ivory Tower of academia, the German government’s statement represents a serious roadblock.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Germany Is Threatening Biohackers With Prison
