A legal foundation has been 마련ed to systematically foster synthetic biology. It is expected to lay the groundwork for building a synthetic biology ecosystem, including designating research and development hubs and jointly using research data.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on April 23 that the Synthetic Biology Promotion Act will take effect. Synthetic biology is a technology that engineers, produces and uses the components of living organisms. It is also combining with artificial intelligence and automation technologies to accelerate a shift in the biotechnology research paradigm.

The act sets out both an R&D promotion framework and a safety management system. It requires the government to draw up a basic synthetic biology promotion plan every 5 years and, based on that, establish and implement an annual plan each year. It also strengthens inter-ministerial coordination by establishing a working-level synthetic biology implementation committee under the Biotechnology Comprehensive Policy Deliberation Committee, chaired by the science minister.

It also requires the preparation and management of statistics that include the status of R&D and industry and the size of the specialist workforce, in order to assess the technology's impact and technical level.

The ministry will designate hub institutions for synthetic biology R&D. The hubs will carry out functions including technology transfer, commercialisation and startup support; the installation and operation of shared R&D facilities and demonstration facilities; technical support for small and venture firms; and the promotion of joint and converged research.

It will build and operate a public biofoundry for synthetic biology R&D and use, and may also designate an operating institution for efficient management and use. The act details procedures for applying to use the public biofoundry and standards for costs, and includes special provisions that allow the government to adjust usage priority or waive fees in a national emergency.

It provides a basis to jointly use research data generated or acquired at the public biofoundry, based on an agreement between users and the operating institution. The act requires details to be set out, including what types of research data can be shared and how they are to be registered and stored.

The act also includes support measures for building the ecosystem, including establishing a synthetic biology development council, promoting technology transfer and commercialisation, setting standardisation policies, developing human resources and advancing international cooperation. The ministry will establish this year a basic plan and synthetic biology R&D guidelines to prevent potential adverse effects or ethical issues that synthetic biology could cause.

First Vice Minister Hyuk-chae Koo (구혁채) of the ministry said, "An institutional foundation has been 마련ed to strategically foster synthetic biology at the national level." He added, "The ministry will steadily put in place a support system so that synthetic biology can become established as a core technology that leads South Korea's bio innovation and leap in the bioeconomy."