ABSTRACT
With the increased knowledge of biological processes and modes of manipulation of living systems and matter, the notion of highly controlled and engineered living biological “products” is ever so seductive. This new paradigm covers all aspects of the life sciences and all scales of biological complexity; with the bulk of attention given to the engineering of bacteria under the guise of synthetic biology. In addition, the technological use of algae, fungi, and plant material is getting more established, probably due to the fact that these organisms have been seen historically as raw material and do not seem to require much ethical consideration of their wellbeing and welfare. Therefore, the techniques used to manipulate non-animal organisms can be much more aggressive, intrusive, and rapid.
