Objective
The spiral helix structure of DNA is instantly recognisable. It holds a powerful place in the public imagination. The central role of DNA in concepts of identity, family, health, and life itself is reinforced by specialised legal and regulatory frameworks. While designing DNA from scratch is beyond human capability, AI-enabled design and modeling have opened new horizons with synthetic DNA (synDNA). SynDNA allows the creation of organisms with no evolutionary counterparts. This could be seen as a biological equivalent of splitting the atom. Since synDNA outputs can result in novel organisms, we face a future where AI-designed constructs could spill over into the living world. Conversely, we can harvest biological organisms to create new artifacts and products. SynDNA differs from synthetic biology in opening the prospect of creating entirely novel genetic sequences, and in its potential to impact every area of human interaction with biological systems. Yet it has received little attention from ethicists and philosophers. Existing regulatory and ethical frameworks, which tend to reinforce the assumption that genes are internal, natural, and private, fall short in addressing the challenge of synDNA. WritingLife will create a dynamic interdisciplinary research hub, incorporating expertise from philosophy, embryology, and conservation biology. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive account of the moral status of synDNA and formulate policies and ethical frameworks guiding the creation and use of synDNA constructs in research and conservation. Our ultimate output will be The SynDNA Report – a set of recommendations and guidelines based on the philosophical and ethical analysis undertaken by WritingLife.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-SyG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
0313 Oslo
Norway
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.