Ethical and social insights into synthetic biology: predicting research fronts in the post-COVID-19 era

As a revolutionary biological science and technology, synthetic biology has already spread its influence from natural sciences to humanities and social sciences by introducing biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical issues to society. The current study aims to elaborate the intellectual bases and research front of the synthetic biology field in the sphere of philosophy, ethics, and social sciences, with knowledge mapping and bibliometric methods. The literature records from the Social Sciences Citation Index and Arts & Humanities Citation Index in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1982 to 2021 were collected and analyzed to illustrate the intellectual structure of philosophical, ethical, and social research of synthetic biology. This study profiled the hotspots of research focus on its governance, philosophical and ethical concerns, and relevant technologies. This study offers clues and enlightenment for the stakeholders and researchers to follow the progress of this emerging discipline and technology and to understand the cutting-edge ideas and future form of this field, which takes on greater significance in the post-COVID-19 era.

Automated summary

As a revolutionary field, synthetic biology has extended its influence to humanities and social sciences by introducing biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical issues. This study aims to explore the intellectual bases and research frontiers of synthetic biology in philosophy, ethics, and social sciences. Through knowledge mapping and bibliometric methods, the intellectual structure of synthetic biology research in these fields is analyzed. The study identifies the hotspots of research focus, such as governance, philosophical and ethical concerns, and relevant technologies, providing insights for stakeholders and researchers to understand the cutting-edge ideas and future direction of this field in the post-COVID-19 era.