Synthetic Biology drives an enthusiasm for a »biological engineering revolution« that will transform the industrial production of food, energy, materials, medicine and all nature and our relationship to it. It promises a greener and cleaner post petroleum future where the production of economically important compounds depends on fossil fuels and the problems of the climate and resource crisis are solved.

Advanced biofuels are available, with new synthetic biology based processes for fuel production in large quantities. Traditional agriculture is replaced by biomass feedstocks. CO2 levels are reduced through artificial leaf technology, a synthetic version of the photosynthetic process.

Biosensors are residing in our body to detect particular types of abnormality to then release a specific healing drug. Synthetic protein reach meat is grown through a new generation of plants. A whole synthetic green utopia can become true with the help of large companies as the Craig Venter Institute and Synthetics Genomics, Inc., providing the financial capital. To test this idea on a small scale, the »Anti Anti Syn Nation« is proposing to establish a self sufficient micro nation completely based on current and near future developments in synthetic biology. To give the participating people absolute autonomy this nation should be established in an area immune from current laws as for example artificial abandoned islands as the sea fleet in front of the coast of Singapore or the during the WWII built Maunsell towers in the Thames estuary. This experiment could answer such questions as if this synthetic environment would change our relationship to »real« nature, if we would miss biodiversity. The project in general is aiming to raise discussions and ask questions regarding synthetic biology.

Is synthetic generated life equal to »natural« life? Does it change our relationship to existing and engineered organisms? Should we change our life or even us rather than trying to build nature from scratch? Why do we think that we have more rights than other organisms? Are we allowed to patent nature?

The micro nation is used to engage with this ideas on a small scale and works as a projecting area for different ideas and approaches regarding synthetic biology.

published on BLDGBLOG 2011