Team:XH-China/Human Practices
Human practices (HP)
Because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, all of our HP are performed online.
HP Goals:
1.HP is presented throughout the entire project. Through HP we can improve our tests and product design.
2.Through HP, we learned the level of tolerance that consumers have for synthetic biological cosmetics. Our investigation concluded that consumers have a much stronger desire to purchase synthetic biological cosmetics if the synthetic biology technologies and compositions are more publicly shown and identified. We will clearly mark our future facial mask products with “This product uses synthetic biotechnology” and label the compositions and technologies in their instruction manuals.
HP for Professionals
At first, our group projected to auxotrophic bacteria, which requires extra organic growth factors and supplements on the culture medium. The auxotroph is unable to synthesize itself for its mutation. Therefore, using mutant bacteria enables us to regulate their enzyme synthesis by manipulating the availability of supplements. Due to technology limits, unfortunately, the biology engineering company that we've been working with was incapable of constructing auxotroph with e. coli within two months. Afraid of delaying our experiment, we turned to an alternative plan. Yeast auxotroph was readily available in this company, yet it necessitates different plasmids carrier. We consulted professor Wang, who expertizes in biotechnology. He pointed out that applying auxotroph in the lab involves many uncertainties. Concerning the lack of experimental records and experience, it is better to use e. coli to achieve optimal results. To compensate for our initial intention to control enzyme production, we may add lactose operons or kill switches to attain the same effects. For the reasons above, we rejected our original design and revised our research using e. coli.
Initial HP for Manufacturers
At the beginning of planning the project, we communicated online with the CEO of Shanghai Qinxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd (the manager of the “Qinxinyi” facial mask brand), Mr. Hu. Mr. Hu thinks that current facial masks, regardless if they are chemical peeling or physical rub, all cause significant damage to the skin on the face, and that producing facial masks with synthetic biology is a good project, but the public’s level of acceptance to synthetic biology and the product’s safety are issues to be considered. Therefore, we performed an HP focused on consumers, and tests focused on product efficiency and safety. (the tests will be explained in the Engineering page)
HP for Consumers
1.Publicizing Synthetic Biotechnology
Through social media, the knowledge of what is synthetic biology and its uses in food and life, let everyone understand the uses of synthetic biology.
2.Survey the Demand for Facial Masks Through Social Media
Market demands for facial masks (Explained in Entrepreneurship Page)
Demands for synthetic biological facial masks
3.Through social media, we surveyed if consumers’ demand will increase when the facial mask product is marked with compositions and techniques.
The questionnaire shows that 60% of individuals are currently using exfoliator products, of which 90% pay close attention to the product composition and production techniques inside the product instruction manual, and over half have some understanding of the mechanisms or techniques in the products they are using. Additionally, 93% of individuals are willing to try to use facial mask products with clear markings of using synthetic biotechnology. There is a significant increase to the 50.7% for when there are no markings.
4.Through social media, we surveyed consumers' interests in our products. We analyzed that the rate of keratinases’ activity is 4.24 unit of products formed per milliliter per minute, which proves that it contains high efficiency. After cytotoxicity test of mammalian cells in vitro, we get the data to prove our enzymes’ safety.
The questionnaire shows that about 80% people are interested in our facial mask after knowing its safety.
HP for Governments
After our synthetic biological products passed the national cosmetic product standard tests and cellular safety tests, we contacted the Zhejiang Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Evaluation Center, and recommended all synthetic biological cosmetic products to be marked with “This product uses synthetic biotechnology”, and indicate the product’s compositions and technologies on their instruction manuals, so that more consumers can understand and accept synthetic biological cosmetic products. The Evaluation Center recommended us to contact the standardization center; we also contacted the Cosmetic Supervision Department of the State Drug Administration and the China Association of Fragrance Flavour and Cosmetic Industries, but have yet to receive a response.
We have decided that in the future, we will mark our products with “This product uses synthetic biotechnology”, and then perform another Consumer HP and Manufacturer HP.
Second HP for Manufacturers
We provided the passed reports of cosmetic product standard tests and cellular safety tests, the Consumer Survey HP, the innovative thinking on product markings, and the Business Plan to Mr. Hu for a second time, and further communicated the possibility of establishing a business model. Mr. Hu expressed interest and was willing to provide some funds for adding our product into their company’s current facial mask products for further tests, as well as expanded consumer surveys.
Business Plan
Please click Business Plan