“Science is not only a disciple of reason but also one of romance and passion.”
– Stephen Hawking
If we were to summarize our Human Practices work in a single phrase, it would be “a two-way collaborative dialogue” — we listen to the continuous feedback loop between science and society, jointly forging a journey where both sides shape each other.
Therefore, we have engaged in multi-level dialogues (Integrated Human Practices) not only with scientists, farmers, policy experts, marketers, consumers, but also with the general public. Moreover, we have woven these voices into an iterative cycle for our project: every interview, every questionnaire, and every survey directly influences every decision we make, from the design of phage particles to the formulation of application strategies.We strive to build trust in biopesticides among everyone, and their feedback makes us more confident in PhAgri’s future.
When responding to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our actions are guided by one fundamental principle: “trust”. Beyond the project’s technology lies the significance of trust. Thus, we are committed to generating positive sustainable development impacts through responsible human practices.
We have always firmly believed that the boundaries of science should not become barriers to understanding. For this reason, we have incorporated complex synthetic biology into hands-on experiences through the design of interactive and gamified education initiatives (Education). We also proactively focus on diverse groups such as rural children, ethnic minorities, left-behind children, and students non-majoring in biology, practicing true inclusivity (Inclusivity). This journey is not a solo one. We walk alongside iGEM teams worldwide. Through exchanges with these teams and collaborations with experts (Collaborations), we share inspirations, validate ideas with each other, and in doing so, make the narrative of PhAgri richer through communication and more resilient through openness.