BIOHACKING. LEGAL, ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA

Authors

  • Anis H. Bajrektarevic Vienna Institute for International Studies
  • Valentina Carvajal Caballero Vienna Institute for International Studies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54658/ps.28153324.2024.9.3.pp.10-24

Abstract

Biohacking, a burgeoning movement within the realm of DIY biology, represents a significant intersection of technology, ethics, information systems and personal empowerment. This scientific article explores the multifaceted dimensions of biohacking, with a particular emphasis on its manifestations and implications in Europe and Latin America. By examining the regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and their impact on biohacking practices, this study delves into the ethical considerations, technological advancements, and socio-political influences shaping the biohacking landscape. Through an in-depth analysis of grassroots innovations in Latin America and established biohacking hubs in Europe, this article underscores the potential and challenges of biohacking in fostering innovation, addressing local and global issues, and navigating the complex interplay between individual autonomy and regulatory oversight. This study highlights pressing concerns such as bio piracy, where indigenous genetic resources risk exploitation without equitable benefit-sharing frameworks, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly in Latin America. The article also examines biohacking’s potential to drive sustainable innovation while emphasizing the need for harmonized global legal frameworks to protect indigenous knowledge and address environmental governance gaps.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bajrektarevic, A. (2010). The JHA diplomacy: Palermo Convention, 10 years after. Geopolitics, History and International Relations, 3(1), 2011.

Bajrektarevic, A., & Caballero, V. (2024). Navigating the global digital economy. Geopolitics, History and International Relations, 16(1). Addleton Publishers NY.

Castelyn, J. (2020). The ethics of DIY biology: Exploring the boundaries of biohacking. Bioethics Journal, 34(2), 123–135.

European Union. (2016). General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Official Journal of the European Union.

Ford, B. (2015). The rise of DIY biology: Biohacking and citizen science. Biotechnology Advances, 33(3), 440–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.09.003.

Hackteria. (2021). Hackteria Network: Biohacking for a sustainable future. Retrieved from https://hackteria.org

Hughes, J. (2020). Biohacking and the future of personal health. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(4), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-020-09964-2.

Kahn, J., Mann, R., & Moore, K. (2019). Biohacking: DIY biology and the future of genetic engineering. Nature Biotechnology, 37(8), 904–907. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0207-0.

Latour, B. (2018). We have never been modern. Harvard University Press.

Lebowitz, M. (2017). What is biohacking? An overview of the DIY biology movement. BioScience Journal, 67(10), 822–829. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix097.

López, A., Pérez, M., & González, R. (2021). Grassroots biohacking in Latin America: Innovations and challenges. Latin American Journal of Biotechnology, 19(3), 245–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-021-03017-6.

Martínez, L., Silva, P., & Torres, D. (2023). Community-driven biohacking initiatives in Ecuador: Bridging technology and public health. Journal of Community Biotechnology, 12(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40997-022-00459-3.

Mendes, A., Silva, J., & Costa, F. (2022). Biohacking in Brazil: Synthetic biology for public health and agriculture. Brazilian Journal of Biotechnology, 56(4), 380–395. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-204X20220040.

Peters, G., & Gärdenfors, P. (2019). Democratizing biotechnology: The role of open-source tools in biohacking. Journal of Open Science, 3(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbloc.2019.00012.

Rodríguez, M., & García, L. (2023). Urban agriculture and biohacking in Venezuela: Enhancing food security through biotechnology. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 15(2), 134–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-023-00500-8.

Smith, A. (2021). Regulating biohacking: Balancing innovation and safety. Regulatory Affairs Journal, 29(1), 78–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-021-09639-5

United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). (2020). Biotechnology and sustainable development in Latin America. ECLAC Publications.

Voigt, P., & von dem Bussche, A. (2017). The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): A practical guide. Springer.

Wyeth, K. (2020). Community labs and the democratization of biotechnology in Europe. European Journal of Innovation Management, 23(5), 865–880. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-07-2019-0315.

Downloads

Published

30-10-2024

How to Cite

BIOHACKING. LEGAL, ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA. (2024). Politics & Security, 9(3), 10-24. https://doi.org/10.54658/ps.28153324.2024.9.3.pp.10-24

Most read articles by the same author(s)