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S1E2 - PreMiEr: Responsible Microbiome Engineering in Built Environments

S1E2 - PreMiEr: Responsible Microbiome Engineering in Built Environments

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 PreMiEr: Responsible Microbiome Engineering in Built Environments This episode of the GES Publications podcast provides an AI-generated overview of the three articles below, highlighting key findings and insights into the societal dimensions of biotechnology. Episodes are created using Google Gemini’s NotebookLM to summarize faculty and student publications from NC State University’s Genetic Engineering and Society Center. Learn more about the NSF-PreMiEr project here. Authors Christopher L. Cummings, Kristen D. Landreville, and Jennifer Kuzma Citation 1 Cummings C.L., Landreville K.D., and Kuzma J. (2024). Taking the temperature of the United States public regarding microbiome engineering. Front. Public Health. 12:1477377. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477377. PDF. Graphic Abstract This paper presents the first representative survey of U.S. adults’ opinions on microbiome engineering within the built environment, revealing public awareness, perceived benefits and risks, and attitudes toward genetically engineered microbiomes. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. residents over 18 years of age, we examined demographic and cultural factors influencing public sentiment. Results indicate that younger generations report higher knowledge levels, optimism, and perceived benefits of microbiome engineering, while older generations exhibit more caution and concern about risks. Political affiliation, education level, and trust in science also shape public attitudes, with Democrats, college-educated individuals, and those with higher trust in science more likely to view microbiome engineering positively. Notably, nearly half of respondents across demographic groups remain uncertain about the technology’s benefits and risks, and a majority of participants support government oversight to ensure ethical and responsible development. These insights provide a foundation for policymakers and researchers to foster informed public engagement and guide responsible innovation in microbiome engineering for built environments. Citation 2 Cummings, C. L., Landreville, K. D., & Kuzma, J. (2025). Natural vs. Genetically engineered microbiomes: Understanding public attitudes for indoor applications and pathways for future engagement. Frontiers in Genetics, 16, 1560601. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2025.1560601. PDF. Graphic Abstract This study examines public preferences for natural microbiomes and support for genetically engineered (GE) microbiomes in the built environment, focusing on the demographic, sociographic, and attitudinal factors that influence these preferences. Using data from a nationally representative survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, we employed hierarchical regression analyses to assess the relative contribution of these variables. While demographic and sociographic factors explained limited variance, topic-specific attitudes, including positive perceptions of microbiome engineering’s potential to improve quality of life, were the most significant predictors of support. Conversely, age, distrust in science, and perceived knowledge negatively influenced support for GE microbiomes, reflecting skepticism among some audiences. The findings highlight the potential of the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework to align the development of microbiome engineering with societal values and to address diverse public perspectives. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and communicators seeking to navigate the complexities of public engagement with emerging biotechnologies. Citation 3 Cummings, C. L., Landreville, K. D., & Kuzma, J. (2025). Public perceptions and support for introduced microbes to combat hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. PLOS ONE, 20(10), e0332578. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332578. PDF. Graphic Abstract Hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remain major global health threats, prompting interest in microbiome-based interventions that introduce beneficial microbes or genetic interventions to control pathogens and reduce AMR genes in hospital environments. Microbiome engineering, which can use advanced biotechnology, genetics, and microbial ecology principles to restructure microbial communities, is a rapidly growing field with applications in infection control. As researchers explore deploying beneficial microbes and other genetic interventions in clinical settings like hospital sinks, public perception becomes critical to responsible implementation. This study addresses how U.S. adults perceive microbiome evaluation and education. Drawing on a nationally representative survey (N = 1,000), we conducted hierarchical ordinary least squares regression modeling to assess predictors of support across three domains: implementation of introduced microbiomes (IM), rigorous testing, and education for healthcare stakeholders. Results demonstrate that...
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