UK failing to exploit bioengineering research, say MPs

Synthetic biology and genetically modified crops risk being "lost in translation"

Britain is struggling to commercialise its bioengineering research base, a new report by an influential committee of MPs has found.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee said that while the UK was a “world leader” in bioengineering research into stem cells, genetically modified crops and synthetic biology, it could not afford to be “complacent” about exploitation of that research in the face of growing competition from abroad.

Committee chair Phil Willis MP said: “The UK has a poor record in exploiting world-class bioengineering research to generate health, economic and societal benefits. If the government is serious about bridging the ‘valley of death’ between basic research and commercial production then it must increase funding for early-stage translation and ensure that regulations do not needlessly stifle the activities of researchers.

“The UK must take every opportunity to make the most of its research base.”

Genetically modified crops were an example of where the government’s belief in the overall safety and potential benefits of the technology was at odds with its “lack of public championing” of it, the MPs said. They said: “GM crops are the poor cousin in the bioengineering family, and the committee strongly urges the government to signal publicly its support for GM crops as well as improving the regulatory situation at home and in Europe, which would help with translation.”

The MPs said there were “good indications” that the UK was learning from past experiences with stem cells and GM crops when handling new bioengineering technologies such as synthetic biology. “Good research and public engagement activities are occurring,” the committee said. 

It added: “However, while research is well-funded, there is not enough forethought about synthetic biology translation. 

“If this is not addressed, synthetic biology runs the risk of becoming yet another story of UK research getting lost in translation.”