| S.No |
Delphi Statements |
Median |
Quartile |
Never (%) |
| 25% |
75% |
| Techno-Economic Objectives |
| 1
|
Use of synthetic bio-fuel for automobile and domestic energy consumption. |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| 2
|
Use of Synthetically designed biocatalysts for effective, economic mining of scarce mineral resources. |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2.94 |
| 3
|
Use of synthetic genes in agriculture by optimizing use of water, soil, fertilizer etc. and maximize the production and productivity |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
| 4
|
Creation of bio-electronic devices like bio-pads, bio-memory storage drives, bio-wires etc. |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
| 5
|
Recombinant DNA technology will be replaced with the Long DNA synthesis technology. |
3 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.47 |
| 6
|
Whole genome cloning experiments routinely performed in a standard molecular biology laboratory |
4 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
| 7
|
Making of synthetic human chromosomes |
2 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
| 8
|
Automated design of pathways using Bio-CAD tools |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| 9
|
Manufacturing organisms directly from CAD models |
3 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
| 10
|
Routine installation of alternative genetic codes in the native genome |
3 |
2 |
5 |
3.7 |
| 11
|
Development of a non ATGC genome that transcribes and replicates |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
| Health and Environmental Objectives |
| 12
|
Development of user defined drugs and delivery mechanisms (especially for Cancer, TB, and HIV-AIDS) |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2.78 |
| 13
|
Creation of synthetic body parts and successful replacement of synthetically made organs like kidneys, liver, eyes etc. |
3.5 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
| 14
|
Hazardous effects (like gene mutations, life span changes etc.) due to the natural diffusion of knowledge and natural proliferation of bio-synthetic DNA molecules into the environment. |
2 |
2.25 |
6.5 |
0 |
| 15
|
Use of synthetic microorganisms and catalyst to breakdown and remove various pollutants in water, land and air. |
3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
| 16
|
Creation of artificial photosynthesis technology that is more efficient and cost effective than solar technology |
3 |
1.25 |
5 |
4.41 |
| 17
|
Development, Production and sale of synthetic products addressing lifestyle complexities (like obesity, memory). |
2 |
1.5 |
4 |
11.1 |
| Social and Human Resources Development Objectives |
| 18
|
Creation of specific protocols adhering to safety, security and ethics vis-à-vis study, use and application of bio-synthetic discipline. |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| 19
|
Design and starting of courses at undergraduate and specialization in Synthetic biology (focusing the key research agendas like health, environment, energy etc.) at the masters’ level. |
1 |
1 |
1.75 |
0 |
| 20
|
Introduction of synthetic biology from the elementary level of schooling till high school (Following the concept of Anthroposophy, which means child-centred education for guiding the societies of tomorrow.) |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4.2 |
| 21
|
Development of a Bio-Bricks Registry comprising an integrated tool box covering all the basic molecular structures, which act as building blocks for a biological structure. |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
| 22
|
Development of a Non-Bio-Bricks Registry covering at least five model organisms. |
2 |
2 |
3.5 |
0 |
| Legal and Administrative Objectives |
| 23
|
Training of law enforcement agencies and equipping them with sufficient resources and technology to understand, prevent, investigate and prosecute the bio-offenders / bio hackers |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2.9 |
| 24
|
Effective planning and restructuring of domestic regulatory environment with a network of legal and professional bodies pertaining to the development of the discipline at one side and preventing its misuse on the other side. |
2 |
1 |
3 |
8.3 |
| 25
|
Creation of an international body or think tank which will accommodate all the stakeholders for proper nurturing, grooming and functioning of the discipline. |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
| 26
|
Extension of specific framework modules within major international protocols like Cartagena Bio-safety protocols (Since, synthetic biology delicately touches the trans-disciplinary boundaries). |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2.8 |
| 27
|
Use of synthetic biomolecules/organisms by various countries to control unruly crowd. |
4 |
3 |
5.5 |
12.5 |
Source: Compiled by the Authors from the primary data collected through online Delphi Survey with the help of the software SPSS 17.0