Human Practices

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Human Practices Hub

Through Human Practices, iGEM teams consider whether their projects are responsible and good for the world. They creatively engage with issues in ethics, sustainability, inclusion, security, and many other areas. Human Practices questions are complex and don’t have simple answers. Teams therefore often conduct public engagement; inviting stakeholder input to shape the direction of their work.

"Human Practices is the study of how your work affects the world, and how the world affects your work." — Peter Carr, Director of Judging

What is Human Practices?

Learn about Human Practices and why it is an important part of iGEM.

How to Succeed

All teams are expected to engage in Human Practices. Check out our tips for teams and the medal and prize criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

See answers to questions like "How can my team integrate Human Practices into our Foundational Advance project?"

Resources

Getting started? These resources can help you understand methods for responsible research, public engagement, and much more.

Exemplary Projects

Explore how teams have approached human practices in many inspiring and impactful iGEM projects.

Beyond the Competition

How did Human Practices come to be a part of iGEM? What does Human Practices look like in the real world?

Committee

Questions? Suggestions? The Human Practices committee is here to help!

Questions?

If you have questions or suggestions please email us at humanpractices@igem.org
We love hearing from teams as they explore synthetic biology as a human practice. Best of luck with your projects!