Abstract:

With continuous advances in basic researches related to synthetic biology, it's potential for application in various fields has become manifest, and its commercial value keeps increasing. In the field of food manufacturing, using synthetic biology tools can improve the food's nutritional value, provide consumers with more options for their diets, and alleviate future food supply shortage. At present, several kinds of food products using synthetic biology strategies have been put into the market in European countries and in the United States. However, the issues of biosafety, food safety, and ethical concerns of using synthetic biology to produce food remain controversial. How to balance relevant benefits and potential risks challenges domestic authorities as well as international communities. Based on a review of recent investment and financing situation in the field of food products using synthetic biology tools, this paper intends to discuss the relevant policies and legislation in Europe, the United States, and China for the commercialization of such products. The case of "Impossible Hamburger" (an artificial bio-food that has been approved and listed in the United States) is analyzed in depth, to examine the impact of legislation on the commercialization of related products. The paper concludes with suggestions on improvement of the legal framework for supporting and regulating the commercialization of synthetic biology-based food products in China.

Key words: food products using synthetic biology strategies, commercialization, biosafety, food safety, ethical risk

摘要：

随着合成生物学基础研究的不断突破，其在多领域已初显应用潜力，商业化价值日益凸显。在食品制造业，合成生物学技术的运用可以提高食物的营养价值，提供给消费者更多样化的选择，以及缓解未来粮食短缺问题。目前已有数种合成生物食品在欧美国家投入销售市场，然而利用合成生物学技术制造的食品在生物安全、食品安全以及伦理等方面仍存争议，如何运用法律来平衡此类食品商业化带来的风险和收益已经成为欧美各国和国际社会关注的重点问题。本文基于近年合成生物食品领域的投融资状况，梳理欧美国家以及我国针对合成生物食品商业化的相关政策及风险管控立法；以已经在美国获批进入销售市场的合成生物食品——“不可能汉堡”为例，探讨法律规范对于新兴合成生物食品商业化的影响。本文最后提出支持与完善我国合成生物食品商业化相关问题的法律建议。

关键词: 合成生物食品, 商业化, 生物安全, 食品安全, 伦理风险