Is Public Engagement in Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology Improving Research Outcomes?

Engaging diverse publics on the acceptability of large-scale biology applications such as gene drives is held in high regard by the international research community. The development of gene drives to suppress invasive and pest species and improvements to the sustainability of food systems are examples of integrative biology applications in engineering and ecology with the potential for large-scale research impact. Despite a global collective intention to ensure disruptive technologies are in broad alignment with wider social and public values, evidence of applied research organizations integrating the knowledge acquired from social research is hard to find. Concrete mechanisms to ensure public perspectives affect science decision-making are yet to emerge. We offer avenues for making inroads in what we identify as a remaining gap in public engagement research in the fields of synthetic biology and bioengineering.

Three synthetic biology applications and their paths to impact in Australia: Cane toads, bacteriophages, and biomining microbes.

Synthetic biology [synbio] applications have the potential to assist in addressing significant global health and environmental challenges. Australian research institutes are investing in formative research to develop synbio technologies capable of meeting these challenges. Alongside the laboratory research, investigating the broader social, institutional, and ethical considerations that synbio presents has been a priority. We conducted targeted qualitative research to uncover the barriers and opportunities for a range of multisectoral stakeholders identified as potential end-users of the science under development. The research provides insights into the research implementation environment for three synthetic biology applications: (1) gene editing cane toads (Rhinella marina) to reduce their environmental impact; (2) engineering bacteriophages to combat antimicrobial resistance in humans; and (3) engineering microbes to improve biomining efficiency in the mining industry. In-depth interviews (N = 23) with government, research and civil society representatives revealed key challenges in the impact pathway for each application. The strongest themes uncovered during interviews related to perceived negative public attitudes towards genetic technologies, a lack of investment in critical research infrastructure, unclear regulatory pathways and the presence of a strong social and environmental imperative underpinning technology development. These findings reveal specific entry points for further engagement with the most immediate end-users of synbio. Separate from research on public attitudes to synbio, the cases highlight the various hurdles to achieving research impact, according to experts who will likely use, approve or invest in these applications in the future. The themes uncovered inform avenues for strengthening engagement and research coordination in Australia and elsewhere.

Recommendations for environmental risk assessment of gene drive applications for malaria vector control.

Building on an exercise that identified potential harms from simulated investigational releases of a population suppression gene drive for malaria vector control, a series of online workshops identified nine recommendations to advance future environmental risk assessment of gene drive applications.

Genetically engineered heat-resistant coral: An initial analysis of public opinion.

Rising seawater temperatures are contributing to coral degradation in the Great Barrier Reef. Synthetic biology technologies offer the potential to enhance coral resilience to higher water temperatures. To explore what the public think of genetically engineered coral as a future solution, qualitative responses to an open-ended question in a survey of 1,148 of the Australian public were analysed. More respondents supported the technology (59%) than did not (11%). However, a considerable proportion indicated moderate support (29%). Participants commented about the (moral) right to interfere with nature and uncertainty regarding the consequences of implementing the technology. Participants also mentioned the need to take responsibility and act to save the reef, as well as the benefits likely to result from implementing the technology. Other themes included a desire for further testing and proof, more information, and tight regulation and controls when introducing the technology.

Using a Bayesian Network Predictive Model to Understand Vulnerability of Australian Sheep Producers to a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak.

To maintain and strengthen Australia's competitive international advantage in sheep meat and wool markets, the biosecurity systems that support these industries need to be robust and effective. These systems, strengthened by jurisdictional and livestock industry investments, can also be enhanced by a deeper understanding of individual producer risk of exposure to animal diseases and capacity to respond to these risks. This observational study developed a Vulnerability framework, built from current data from Australian sheep producers around behaviors and beliefs that may impact on their likelihood of Exposure and Response Capacity (willingness and ability to respond) to an emergency animal disease (EAD). Using foot and mouth disease (FMD) as a model, a cross-sectional survey gathered information on sheep producers' demographics, and their practices and beliefs around animal health management and biosecurity. Using the Vulnerability framework, a Bayesian Network (BN) model was developed as a first attempt to develop a decision making tool to inform risk based surveillance resource allocation. Populated by the data from 448 completed questionnaires, the BN model was analyzed to investigate relationships between variables and develop producer Vulnerability profiles. Respondents reported high levels of implementation of biosecurity practices that impact the likelihood of exposure to an EAD, such as the use of appropriate animal movement documentation (75.4%) and isolation of incoming stock (64.9%). However, adoption of other practices relating to feral animal control and biosecurity protocols for visitors were limited. Respondents reported a high uptake of Response Capacity practices, including identifying themselves as responsible for observing (94.6%), reporting unusual signs of disease in their animals (91.0%) and daily/weekly inspection of animals (90.0%). The BN analysis identified six Vulnerability typologies, with three levels of Exposure (high, moderate, low) and two levels of Response Capacity (high, low), as described by producer demographics and practices. The most influential Exposure variables on producer Vulnerability included adoption levels of visitor biosecurity and visitor access protocols. Findings from this study can guide decisions around resource allocation to improve Australia's readiness for EAD incursion and strengthen the country's biosecurity system.

The goat industry in Australia: Using Bayesian network analysis to understand vulnerability to a foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Australia's goat industry is one of the largest goat product exporters in the world, managing both farmed and wild caught animals. To protect and maintain the competitive advantage afforded to the Australian goat industry by the absence of many diseases endemic elsewhere, it is important to identify the vulnerability of producers to livestock disease incursions. This study developed a framework of producer vulnerability built from the beliefs and practices of producers that may impact on their likelihood of exposure and response capacity to an emergency animal disease (EAD), using foot and mouth disease as a model. A cross-sectional questionnaire gathered information on producer/enterprise demographics, animal health management and biosecurity practices, with 107 participating in the study. The biosecurity measures that were most commonly implemented by producers were always using animal movement documentation for purchased stock (74.7 %) and isolating new stock (73.1 %). However, moderate to low uptake of biosecurity protocols related to visitors to the property were reported. Response capacity variables such as checking animals daily (72.0 %) and record keeping (91.7 %) were reported by the majority of respondents, with 40.7 % reporting yearly veterinary inspection of their animals. Using the vulnerability framework, a Bayesian Network model was developed and populated by the survey data, and the relationships between variables were investigated. Six vulnerability profiles were developed, with three levels of exposure (high, moderate, low) and two levels of response capacity (high, low), as described by producer demographics and practices. The most sensitive exposure variables on producer vulnerability included implementation of visitor biosecurity and control of feral animals. Results from this study can inform risk based perspectives and decisions around biosecurity and surveillance resource allocation within the goat industry. The results also highlight opportunities for improving Australia's preparedness for a future EAD incursion by considering producer behaviour and beliefs by applying a vulnerability framework.

Effects of knowledge and emotion on support for novel synthetic biology applications.

There is sometimes an inherent assumption that the logical head will overrule the emotional heart in matters of science and technology. However, the literature on decision making under risk and uncertainty suggests that emotional responses may be more potent. A representative sample of Australians participated in a large, national, online survey (n = 8037), in which we measured the influence of knowledge and emotion in predicting support for possible synthetic biology (synbio) solutions to conservation, environmental, and industrial problems. A hierarchical regression model was used to examine the relative influence of affect- and emotion-related factors beyond the influence of knowledge factors in predicting support for synbio solutions. Subsequently, interaction analyses were conducted to examine the potentially moderating role of emotions in the knowledge-support relationship. There was 64% variance in overall support for synbio solutions (R2 = 0.64, p < 0.001). The most influential predictor of support in the model was positive emotion. Feeling hopeful, excited, and curious toward a synbio technology was related to greater overall support for the development of that technology. The second strongest set of predictors was affect-related measures that evaluate the technology as bad or good, harmful or beneficial, and risky or safe. Positive emotion and an assessment that the technology was good significantly moderated the effect of knowledge on support. These findings suggest that, at least initially, people are more likely to be guided by their emotions when considering support for synbio technologies, which has implications for how researchers design and implement engagement and communication strategies more broadly.

Efectos del Conocimiento y las Emociones sobre el Respaldo a las Aplicaciones Novedosas de la Biología Sintética Resumen A veces existe la suposición intrínseca de que la mente lógica anulará al corazón emocional cuando se trata de temas de ciencia y tecnología. Sin embargo, la literatura sobre la toma de decisiones durante situaciones de riesgo e incertidumbre sugiere que las respuestas emocionales pueden ser más potentes. Una muestra representativa de australianos (n = 8,037) participó en una encuesta en línea realizada a nivel nacional y a gran escala. En esta encuesta medimos la influencia del conocimiento y las emociones sobre la predicción del respaldo a posibles soluciones de biología sintética (synbio) para problemas ambientales, industriales y de conservación. Usamos un modelo de regresión jerárquica para examinar la influencia relativa de los factores relacionados con el afecto o las emociones más allá de la influencia de los factores de conocimiento sobre las predicciones del respaldo a las soluciones synbio. Después realizamos análisis de interacción para examinar el papel potencialmente moderador de las emociones en la relación conocimiento-respaldo. Hubo un 64% de varianza en el respaldo general a las soluciones synbio (R2 = 0.64, p < 0.001). El pronosticador más influyente del respaldo en el modelo fue la emoción positiva. La sensación de sentirse esperanzado, emocionado y curioso debido a la tecnología synbio estuvo relacionada con un mayor respaldo generalizado para el desarrollo de aquella tecnología. El segundo conjunto más fuerte de pronosticadores fueron las medidas relacionadas con el afecto que valoran a la tecnología como buena o mala, dañina o benéfica, y riesgosa o segura. Una emoción positiva y una valoración de que la tecnología era buena moderaron significativamente el efecto del conocimiento sobre el respaldo. Estos hallazgos sugieren que, por lo menos al inicio, las personas tienen mayor probabilidad de ser guiadas por sus emociones cuando consideran el respaldo a las tecnologías synbio, lo cual tiene consecuencias para cómo los investigadores diseñan e implementan las estrategias de participación y comunicación más extensamente.

Understanding the vulnerability of beef producers in Australia to an FMD outbreak using a Bayesian Network predictive model.

Effective and adaptable biosecurity and surveillance systems are crucial for maintaining and increasing Australia's competitive advantages in international markets, and for the production of high quality, safe animal products. These systems are continuously strengthened by ongoing government and industry investment. However, a better understanding of evolving disease risks and the country's capacity to respond to these risks is needed. This study developed a vulnerability framework based on characteristics and behaviours of livestock producers that impact exposure and response capacity to an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak among beef producers in Australia, with a focus on foot and mouth disease (FMD). This framework articulated producer vulnerability typologies to better inform surveillance resource allocation and future research direction. A cross-sectional study of beef producers in Australia was conducted to gather information on producers' demographics, husbandry characteristics, biosecurity and animal health management practices and beliefs, including those specific to FMD risk and response capacity. A Bayesian Network (BN) model was developed from the vulnerability framework, to investigate the complex interrelationships between variables and identify producer typologies. A total of 375 usable responses were obtained from the cross-sectional study. Regarding EAD exposure, producers implemented appropriate biosecurity practices for incoming stock, such as isolation (72.0 %), inspection for disease (88.7 %) and the use of vendor declarations (78.5 %); however, other biosecurity practices were limited, such as restriction of visitor access, visitor biosecurity requirements or feral animal control. In relation to response capacity, a moderate uptake of practices was observed. Whilst daily or weekly visual inspection of animals was reported by most producers (90.1 %), physical inspection was less frequent. Most producers would call a private veterinarian in response to unusual signs of disease in their cattle; however, over 40 % of producers did not cite calling a government veterinarian as a priority action. Most producers believe an FMD outbreak would have extremely serious consequences; however, their level of concern was moderate and their confidence in identifying FMD symptoms was low. The BN analysis identified six vulnerability typologies, with three levels of exposure (high, moderate, low) and two levels of response capacity (high, low), as described by producer demographics and practices. The model identified property size, number of cattle and exposure variables as the most influential to the overall producer vulnerability. Results from this study can inform how to best use current biosecurity and surveillance resources and identify where opportunities exist for improving Australia's preparedness for future EAD incursions.

The Promises and Realities of Integration in Synthetic Biology: A View From Social Science.

Discussions about the responsible advancement of synthetic biology science are at fever pitch. Commentators from across the globe are calling for greater integrated science investments and more inclusive governance processes in the development and implementation of these potentially disruptive technologies. We take stock of the promises and realities of science integration by sharing our experiences of embarking on this very challenge in Australia. We conclude by offering suggestions for bringing about the enabling conditions for improved integration across the natural and social sciences. Four key actions are articulated to help pivot synthetic biology toward a more integrated scientific endeavor: (a) formalizing inclusivity from inception to project conclusion; (b) valuing differing philosophical positions as a strength rather than a barrier; (c) accepting that integration takes persistence and communication but is immensely rewarding; and (d) promoting meaningful interactions, such as pursuing joint opportunities, co-designing and co-publishing research. We argue that these actions are key enablers for realizing science integration in synthetic biology.

Biological control of pests and a social model of animal welfare.

This paper considers the sociocultural implications of biological pest control that sit at the cusp of managing an invasive species for conservation or productivity (i.e. a 'natural enemy') and socially driven 'manipulating life' arguments. We consider the role of perceived humaneness or, more accurately, animal welfare as it relates to managing invasive species from a scientific and social perspective. In order to highlight and articulate particular nuances and standards across different pest control contexts, we use three case examples (feral cats, wild rabbits, and invasive cane toads) and explore where biological pest control and animal welfare interests intersect. The paper summarises key scientific welfare concerns and then extends the literature to also examine key social characteristics of each pest management scenario, including lay perceptions of animal welfare, the sociocultural context that pests exist within, and overarching psychological factors contributing to public sentiment, including perceived risks. The subsequent descriptive model presented is useful in articulating core sociocultural beliefs relative to each case and how these antecedent associations and attitudes about an animal influence subsequent beliefs about a pest management strategy and ultimately acceptance of the management approach. The model can inform invasive species management policies and highlight key sociocultural factors likely to influence public responses. The model also informs interdisciplinary science designed to develop acceptable and socially responsible biocontrol strategies that consider public perceptions of animal welfare and cultural appropriateness.

Motivational drivers of action in response to an environmental biosecurity incursion.

BACKGROUND: Environmental changes caused by plant pathogen incursions can have significant economic and social impacts on agricultural communities. Proactive and vigilant biosecurity actions on-ground are essential in preventing outbreaks from occurring and/or spreading. However, little is known about psychological drivers for action. EXPERIMENTAL: This study examined social and psychological drivers for proactive biosecurity action amongst banana farm owners (N = 57) in a region of northern Australia. This region was experiencing a biosecurity emergency after the incursion of a non-eradicable plant disease, Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4). A telephone survey measured the influence of threat perceptions, response costs, biosecurity knowledge, self-efficacy, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and income dependency from bananas, as potential drivers for increased biosecurity activity on-farm. RESULTS: A regression model accounted for 47% of variance in proactive biosecurity action, with income dependency as the strongest individual predictor of action. Self-efficacy, intrinsic reward, and extrinsic reward were also significant individual predictors of motivation to act. Interestingly, perceived threat of TR4 and response costs were not predictors of biosecurity action. IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that perceptions of threat and personal costs of action are less important in motivating proactive engagement and adoption of biosecurity behaviours in the early stages of a biosecurity incursion. These first few months are, instead, characterised by values placed on social approval and peer comparisons as motivating factors for farmers to engage in on-farm biosecurity. An understanding of drivers for proactive action during an incursion has global implications for tailoring communications and on-ground support delivery during a disaster event. This information is also useful for government and industries seeking to improve biosecurity engagement, environmental management and policy delivery.

Future-proofing global health: Governance of priorities.

The year 2015 was a significant anniversary for global health: 15 years since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals and the creation of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, followed two years later by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. 2015 was also the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the International Health Regulations (May 2005) and the formal entering into force of the Framework Convention on the Tobacco Control (February 2005). The anniversary of these frameworks and institutions illustrates the growth and contribution of 'global' health diplomacy. Each initiative has also revealed on-going issues with compliance, sustainable funding and equitable attention in global health governance. In this paper, we present four thematic challenges that will continue to challenge prioritisation within global health governance into the future unless addressed: framing and prioritising within global health governance; identifying stakeholders of the global health community; understanding the relationship between health and behaviour; and the role of governance and regulation in supporting global health.

Decentralised water systems: emotional influences on resource decision making.

The study of emotion has gathered momentum in the field of environmental science, specifically in the context of community resource decision-making. Of particular interest in this review is the potential influence of emotion, risk and threat perception on individuals' decisions to acceptance and adopt decentralised water systems, such as rainwater tanks and greywater systems. The role of message framing is also considered in detail, as well as the influences that different types of framing can have on decision making. These factors are considered as possible predictors for analysing community acceptance of decentralised water in urban environments. Concepts believed to be influenced by emotion, such as trust and framing, are also discussed as potentially meaningful contributors to an overall model of community acceptance of decentralised water. Recommendations are made for how emotion-based concepts, such as risk and threat, can be targeted to facilitate widespread adoption of decentralised systems and how researchers can explore different types of emotions that influence decision making in distinct ways. This review is an important theoretical step in advancing the psycho-social understanding of acceptance and adoption of on-site water sources. Avenues for future research are recommended, including the need for greater theoretical development to encourage future social science research on decentralised systems.

Review of socio-economic drivers of community acceptance and adoption of decentralised water systems.

The aim of this paper is to highlight key social and economic drivers crucial to understanding community acceptance and adoption of decentralised water systems. The review focused on social science literature pertaining to alternative forms of household water, with an emphasis on research examining decentralised water acceptance. Researchers consistently reported that most communities were open to alternative water sources for domestic applications; however, this was highly dependent upon the level of personal contact with the water. Acceptance and adoption of alternative water technology, such as decentralised systems, was influenced by risk perception, water culture, and threat perception. Motivational drivers were also identified as potentially influencing adoption of decentralised systems. A clear limitation of the literature was found to be an over-reliance on measuring people's intentions to adopt alternative water systems and building a conceptual understanding of acceptance solely on hypothetical water supply scenarios. Further, within the social science literature there appears to be a skewing towards focusing on acceptance of centralised alternative water, such as recycled and desalinated water systems. Although there are some research outcomes that are generalizable to the decentralised water context, it is clear that there is a significant gap in the knowledge base of social drivers specific to the acceptance of decentralised water systems and the factors contributing to its widespread use. It is recommended that future research focus on examining public attitudes relevant to decentralised water systems, as well as adoption behaviours among current users of these systems. This will assist in developing policies specific to domestic decentralised water use.

Psycholinguistic changes in athletes' grief response to injury after written emotional disclosure.

CONTEXT: Grief can be a common psychological characteristic of long-term injury, but few athletes are taught how to effectively deal with these intense emotions. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Pennebaker's standard writing paradigm in improving athletes' psychological response to injury after engaging in written disclosure. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design with 6 data-collection time points. SETTING: Sport-injury clinics. PARTICIPANTS: 9 elite long-term-injured athletes. MEASURES AND INTERVENTION: Participants were administered the Psychological Responses to Sport Injury Inventory and the Rehabilitation Beliefs Survey at 3 times preintervention and postintervention. Intervention comprised three 20-min writing sessions. Linguistic analyses were carried out using the Linguistic Inquiry Word Count to determine whether changes in word categories would be associated with postintervention changes in grief characteristics and rehabilitation-belief subscales. RESULTS: There were significant differences in athletes' grief characteristics postintervention, with athletes feeling less devastated, dispirited, cheated, and restless by their injury and increasing the reorganization of their thoughts. Corresponding evidence from text analyses further supported these changes, with athletes linguistically demonstrating that they were actively working through their grief-related response using improved cognitive processing (F2,16=5.15, P=.019, Eta2=.39) and the disinhibition of positive and negative affect (F2,16=4.05, P=.038, Eta2=.34). There were no significant changes in athletes' rehabilitation beliefs, which remained high throughout the testing period. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings demonstrated that written emotional disclosure was effective in enhancing psychological rehabilitation by contributing to a greater personal understanding of the injury event and attenuating athletes' grief-related response.

Effective leadership in salient groups: revisiting leader-member exchange theory from the perspective of the social identity theory of leadership.

Two studies compared leader-member exchange (LMX) theory and the social identity theory of leadership. Study 1 surveyed 439 employees of organizations in Wales, measuring work group salience, leader-member relations, and perceived leadership effectiveness. Study 2 surveyed 128 members of organizations in India, measuring identification not salience and also individualism/collectivism. Both studies provided good support for social identity predictions. Depersonalized leader-member relations were associated with greater leadership effectiveness among high-than low-salient groups (Study 1) and among high than low identifiers (Study 2). Personalized leadership effectiveness was less affected by salience (Study 1) and unaffected by identification (Study 2). Low-salience groups preferred personalized leadership more than did high-salience groups (Study 1). Low identifiers showed no preference but high identifiers preferred depersonalized leadership (Study 2). In Study 2, collectivists did not prefer depersonalized as opposed to personalized leadership, whereas individualists did, probably because collectivists focus more on the relational self.