External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - November Subgroup Meeting 1b

November 21, 2025

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (EST)

Past

About

The committee held part 2 of a two-part subgroup meeting to finalize content related to specific sections of the draft report.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Staff:
Trisha Tucholski
Sabina Vadnais
Committee Members:
Peter Carr (Chair)
Kate Adamala
Richard Murray
India
Emma
David Gilium

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Draft Report

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

December 01, 2025

Contact

Trisha Tucholski

ttucholski@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development -November Subgroup Meeting 1a

November 20, 2025

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (EST)

Past

About

The committee held part 1 of a two-part subgroup meeting to finalize content related to specific sections of the draft report.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Staff:
Trisha Tucholski
Sabina Vadnais
Committee Members:
Peter Carr (Chair)
Cameron Kim
Jason Delborne

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Draft Report

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

December 01, 2025

Contact

Trisha Tucholski

ttucholski@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #7a

October 22, 2025

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will meet to discuss topics related to the draft report.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Roni Reiter-Palmon, David Gillum, Peter Carr, Emma Frow, Kate Adamala, Felicia Wu, Maria Chavez, Robin Scheffler, Richard Murray, India Hook-Barnard, David Dunning, Zara Summers, Chris Cummings, Cameron Kim, Jason Delborne

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

They committee discussed topics to draft the report text and evidence base of study topics.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/a

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

October 22, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #6

September 24 - 25, 2025

Past

Materials

About

The committee will meet for its third information gathering session and to discuss report organization and contents.

This meeting will be held in a hybrid format for committee members and invited speakers. The public will be able to view the open sessions of the meeting via livestream below.

Abbreviated Agenda - Open Sessions, 9/24 (all times in ET):

9:00am - Welcome

9:05am-10:30am - Exploring Benefits and Risks of Synthetic Cells Applied to Agriculture

10:30am-10:45am - Break

10:45am-12:00pm- Decision Making and Risk Management in the Context of Synthetic Cells

12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch

1:00pm-2:30pm - Moderated Roundtable Discussion

2:30pm - Adjourn

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Kate Adamala, Peter Carr, Maria Chavez, Chris Cummings, Jason Delborne, David Dunning, Emma Frow, David Gillum, India Hook-Barnard, Cameron Kim, Richard Murray, Roni Reiter-Palmon, Robin Scheffler, Zara Summers, Felicia Wu

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed topics related to the draft report

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

October 22, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #5b

August 28, 2025

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will meet to discuss topics related to the draft report.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Roni Reiter-Palmon, Maria Chavez, David Gillum, Jason Delborne, Emma Frow, Kate Adamala, Richard Murray, David Dunning, India Hook-Barnard

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

They committee continued to discuss topics related to the draft report

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 08, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #5a

August 27, 2025

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will meet to discuss topics related to the draft report.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Roni Reiter-Palmon, Felicia Wu, Maria Chavez, David Gillum, Jason Delborne, Emma Frow, Kate Adamala, Richard Murray, David Dunning, India Hook-Barnard

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

They committee discussed topics related to the draft report

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 08, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - August Subgroup Meeting

August 6, 2025

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

A subgroup of the committee will meet to discuss topics related to the draft report.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Pete Carr, Richard Murray, Cameron Kim, David Gillum, Jason Delborne, Kate Adamala, Maria Chavez

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee held a subgroup meeting to discuss content related to the draft report.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

August 13, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development - July Subgroup Meeting

July 15, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM (EDT)

Past

About

A subgroup of the committee will meet to discuss topics related to the draft report.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Pete Carr, India Hook-Barnard, Cameron Kim, Maria Chavez, David Gillum, and Jason Delborne

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee held a subgroup meeting to discuss content related to the draft report.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

July 16, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental and Biosafety of Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #3b

June 30, 2025

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will continue to discuss a draft outline of the report and writing subgroups and assignments.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Roni Reiter-Palmon, Felicia Wu, Maria Chavez, David Gillum, Jason Delborne, Pete Carr, Chris Cummings, Emma Frow, Kate Adamala, Cameron Kim, Richard Murray, David Dunning, Robin Scheffler,

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed contents of the draft report and writing assignments.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

July 03, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Environmental and Biosafety of Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #3a

June 26, 2025

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will hold its conflict of interest, composition, and balance discussion in response to the change in the statement of task and addition of new committee members. They will also discuss a draft outline of the report and plan for the upcoming information gathering meeting in July.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

David Dunning, Cameron Kim, Pete Carr, Maria Chavez, Felicia Wu, Richard Murray, Kate Adamala, David Gillum, Emma Frow, India Hook-Barnard, Chris Cummings, Robin Scheffler

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee reviewed their composition and balance, and discussed logistics for the upcoming information gathering session.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

July 03, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

External Review of Environmental and Biosafety of Synthetic Cell Research and Development - Committee Meeting #2

April 22 - 23, 2025

Past

Materials

About

The committee will meet for its first information gathering session and to discuss report organization and contents.

This meeting will be held in a hybrid format for committee members and invited speakers. The public will be able to view the meeting via livestream below.

The agenda consists of a mix of closed and open sessions. The open sessions that will be livestreamed will take place at the following times:

April 22nd

10:00-11:00am ET - Addressing Environmental, Security, and Safety Gaps for Engineering Biology R & D

1:15-2:15pm ET - National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) Panel

2:30-3:30pm ET - Artificial Intelligence/ Automation Convergence in Engineering Biology

3:30-4:30pm ET - Open Discussion between the committee and the National Science Foundation (NSF)

April 23rd

9:00-10:00am ET - Industry Perspectives on Environmental, Safety, and Security Considerations for Engineering Biology

10:00-11:00am ET - Funders Perspectives of Environmental, Safety, and Security Considerations for Engineering Biology

11:15-12:15pm ET - Public Trust and Perception: Informing Safety, Security, and Environmental Risks

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Peter Carr, Maria Chavez, Chris Cummings, Jason Delborne, David Dunning, Emma Frow, India Hook-Barnard, Cameron Kim, Melinda Kliegman (former member as of 4/22), Richard Murray, Roni Reiter-Palmon, Robin Scheffler, Zara Summers, Felicia Wu

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed the updated statement of task, committee balance relative to the modified scope, and debriefed on key topics from the presentations given during the open sessions.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

April 29, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development: Committee Meeting #1b

March 20, 2025

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will further discuss the breadth of the study, their charge, and the committee's composition and balance.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Jason Delborne, India Hook-Barnard, Richard Murray, Felicia Wu, R. Alta Charo, Maria Chavez, Peter Carr, Chris Cummings, Emma Frow, Melinda Kliegman, Robin Scheffler, David Dunning, Cameron Kim, Rayvon Fouché

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed plans for the upcoming information gathering session.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

March 27, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development: Committee Meeting #1a

March 18, 2025

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

The committee will further discuss the breadth of the study and deliberate on the committee's composition and balance. The committee will also meet with the study sponsor to review the statement of task. This review will be webcasted below from 3:30pm-4:30pm ET.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

David Dunning, Chris Cummings, Roni Reiter-Palmon, Jason Delborne, Maria Chavez, Richard Murray, Melinda Kliegman, Rayvon Fouché, Emma Frow, Felicia Wu, India Hook-Barnard, R. Alta Charo, Peter Carr, Cameron Kim, Robin Scheffler, Zara Summers

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed conflict of interest, balance of the committee composition, and the statement of task.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

March 27, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development: Pre-Committee Meeting #1 Initial Conversations - Session #2

February 18, 2025

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EST)

Past

About

In this meeting, the committee will continue their discussion on the statement of task following the initial kickoff meeting on 2/11.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Roni Reiter-Palmon, Felicia Wu, Jason Delborne, Maria Chavez, Melinda Kliegman, R. Alta Charo, David A. Dunning, Chris Cummings, Richard Murray, Rayvon Fouché, Emma Frow, Peter Carr, India Hook-Barnard, Cameron Kim, Robin Scheffler

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed the statement of task and the formation of working groups.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

February 25, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development: Pre-Committee Meeting #1 Initial Conversations - Session #1

February 11, 2025

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EST)

Past

About

This virtual meeting is the initial convening of the "External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development" committee members. The committee will discuss the statement of task.

This meeting will be held over zoom.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Chris Cummings, Maria Chavez, Roni Reiter-Palmon, David Dunning, Cameron Kim, Felicia Wu, Richard Murray, Emma Frow, India Hook-Barnard, Jason Delborne, Melinda Kliegman, Peter Carr, R. Alta Charo, Rayvon Fouché, Robin Scheffler

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The committee discussed the statement of task and scope of the study.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

February 11, 2025

Contact

Layla Garyk

lgaryk@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

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External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development

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