Open AccessCan life be standardized? Current challenges in biological standardization
Author(s) -
Juli Peretó,
Manuel Porcar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
mètode. annual review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.129
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 2174-9221
pISSN - 2174-3487
DOI - 10.7203/metode.11.15981
Subject(s) - interchangeability , standardization , realm , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , process (computing) , compatibility (geochemistry) , manufacturing engineering , engineering , business , chemical engineering , political science , law , programming language , operating system
The concept of standard strongly evokes machines, industries, electric or mechanic devices, vehicles, or furniture. Indeed, our technological civilization would not be possible – at least in the terms it is structured today – without universal, reliable components, whose acknowledged use results in competitive costs, robustness and interchangeability. For example, an Ikea screw can be used in a wide set of structurally dissimilar furniture and an app can be run in many different smartphones. The very concept of standardization is linked to the industrial revolution and mass production of goods through assembly lines. The question we will try to answer in the present paper is the extent to which standards and the standardization process can be accomplished in the biological realm.