How is synthetic biology different from traditional genetic engineering?

Synthetic biology and traditional genetic engineering differ primarily in their approach to biological design. While both fields involve the manipulation of genetic material, their methodologies and objectives are distinct.12

Traditional genetic engineering, which emerged in the 1970s, relies on recombinant DNA technology to modify existing, naturally occurring organisms. Scientists typically insert specific, wild-type genes into host organisms to alter their function. Because this process depends on existing biological entities, it is often constrained by technical limitations and can be costly.23

In contrast, synthetic biology aims to create fully operational biological systems from the smallest constituent parts, such as DNA and proteins. Rather than merely modifying nature, synthetic biologists often manufacture customized genes de novo (from scratch), one nucleotide at a time. This allows for the creation of novel organic compounds and synthetic organisms designed to function like biological "factories" or "computers," which are intended to be more efficient and better suited for specific purposes than those found in nature.12