Bioengineering and Biotechnologies
In the dynamic fields of genome engineering, synthetic biology, and biomedical innovation, our research examines ethical frameworks, governance strategies, and the responsible development of emerging biotechnologies.
Our research engages with the ethical challenges at the forefront of bioengineering and biotechnology, examining how developments in genome editing, synthetic biology, and novel biotechnological platforms are reshaping biomedical research and clinical practice. We investigate the ethical and societal implications of these innovations, with the goal of supporting governance models that enable responsible and sustainable integration into health systems and scientific infrastructures.
A core focus of our work is the Ethics of Embryo Models, where we examine the implications of generating increasingly complex human embryo models from pluripotent stem cells. These technologies prompt a re-evaluation of long-standing ethical principles concerning the status, use, and regulation of embryonic material in research. Our analysis addresses the moral and policy challenges these models pose, particularly in light of their growing resemblance to natural embryonic development.
We also contribute to the ethical reflection on Molecular Systems Engineering (MSE), an emerging interdisciplinary field at the convergence of engineering, biology, and digital technologies. As MSE evolves—with support from initiatives such as the NCCR MSE—it raises critical questions about how scientific definitions are constructed and how values are embedded in technological design. We explore how concepts, metaphors, and disciplinary boundaries shape research agendas, and how developments in AI and automation influence the future of biotechnology.
Ethics of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (376-1661-00L)
Semester course at ETH Zurich exploring foundational ethical issues in modern life sciences, including genome editing, synthetic biology, and embryo research.
Ethics of Drug Development (376-1664-00L)
Semester course at ETH Zurich examining the ethical, regulatory, and societal dimensions of pharmaceutical innovation—from early-stage research to clinical trials and market access.
Ethics in Research and Drug Development (511-0013-00L)
Intensive block course at ETH Zurich addressing ethical challenges in biomedical research, with a focus on translational science, responsible innovation, and public trust.
Modelling Humans in the Lab: The Ethical and Regulatory Frontier
A specialized course held in Basel, investigating the ethical and policy implications of human organoids, stem-cell-based embryo models, and other emerging biotechnologies. Find out more here: external page https://fondation-brocher.ch/event/embryo-models-human-or-device-2/