Metabolism Instead of Machine: Towards an Ontology of Hybrids

Abstract The emerging field of synthetic biology aims to engineer novel biological entities. envisioned future bio-based economy builds largely on “cell factories”: organisms that have been metabolically engineered sustainably produce substances for human ends. In this paper, we argue biology’s goal creating efficient production vessels industrial applications implies a set ontological assumptions according which living are machines. Traditionally, machine is understood as technological, isolated and controllable unit consisting parts. But modified organisms, or hybrids, require us think beyond the paradigm its associated dichotomies between artificial natural, artefacts. We ask: How may conceptualise hybrids limiting categories? Our main claim created by should be considered not machines but metabolic systems. shall show how philosophical account metabolism can inform an ontology moves what call “machine ontology”, considering enables thinking dominant allows understand design lifeforms in economy. Thus, aim paper twofold: first, develop second, move problematically view hybrids.