Chapter 9: Use of Genetically Modified Algae: Consumption Safety Challenges, Current Legislations, and Socio-economic and Environmental Concerns

Microalgae are regarded as a sustainable synthetic biology platform to generate a series of nutraceuticals, fine chemicals, and fuels via photosynthetic cell factories, which have potential to shift the current linear fossil economy to a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy. However, there are barriers in the use of genetically modified algae, including consumption safety challenges, current legislations, and socio-economic and environmental concerns. This book chapter focuses on consumption safety issues, current regulations and policies as well as other socio-economic and environmental concerns on transgenic algae and their related products. It is clear that synthetic biology enables the development of algae-based multi-products for a carbon-neutral future. To make microalgal products marketable and acceptable to the public, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive analysis of current regulations and address safety issues. This study also discusses current legislations on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in different countries. Finally, challenges and perspectives towards the use of algae GMO products are summarized and proposed, respectively.