The Aim of CISYNBIO:
CISYNBIO will analyse science fiction block busters and contributions to our science film festival regarding their depiction of synthetic biology narratives.
The central questions that will guide the analysis of the films will be: Which aspects and issues of synthetic biology are primarily approached by films? What image and impression is conveyed to the spectator? What are the hopes and fears brought up by the films? To achieve the stated aim, we start with a survey on the state-of-the-art of synthetic biology (definition, areas of research, risks and opportunities) that will be the basis for an analytical toolkit used for the analysis of the selected films.
The analysis will focus on the way societal concerns towards synthetic biology are addressed. These results will be completed by the analysis of the contributions to the low-budget science film festival (organised by CISYNBIO) where young and independent film makers will be invited to present – by means of short films – their understanding of synthetic biology and its expected societal impact.
Towards the end of the project we will provide an info-package for high schools in order to assist and encourage teachers to use film clips as educative tool in the classroom to explain the concept of synthetic biology to their students, and to discuss its societal impact.
