Definition

1. the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems; or
2. the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes.

syntheticbiology.org (2014) ¹

Note: This definition is found at www.syntheticbiology.org, hosted on OpenWetWare. The site was started by individuals at MIT and Harvard and can be edited by “all members of the Synthetic Biology community.” This definition is endorsed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).