Biohybrid Robotics: Positioning the UK as a Global Leader in Engineering Biology
February 5th, 2025, London
On 5 February, the Biohybrid Futures Project and the Public Policy|Southampton team held a workshop on the role of biohybrid robotics within the expanding field of engineering biology. The event formed part of our ongoing efforts to support informed, inclusive dialogue around emerging technologies. We brought together experts from government departments, research institutions, and leading policy organisations—including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Regulatory Horizons Council, and the Office for Life Sciences.
After introductory presentations, participants focused on the evolving science policy landscape, ethical considerations, and developmental trajectories for biohybrid technologies over the coming years. Building on shared expertise, they examined the opportunities and challenges shaping future research, governance, and public engagement. The discussion centred on public perceptions of these potentially controversial innovations. Together, we explored initial policy recommendations aimed at advancing this emerging sector in the UK.