Synthetic biology, also known as synbio, is a new form of research that began in 2000. The Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group) states that synthetic biology is bringing “engineering and life sciences together to design and build new biological parts, devices, and systems that do not currently exist in the natural world” (Synthetic Biology). Synthetic biology aims to create safer medicines, clean energy and help the environment through synthetically engineered medicines, biofuels and foods. Because synthetic biology has only been around for fourteen years, there is controversy over its engineering ethics. In this literature review, I will summarize and relate the International Association for Synthetic Biology's (IASB) Code of Practice for Gene Synthesis, the impact of synthetic biology on people and the environment, and philosophical debates. Nine years after synthetic biology was first implemented, the IASB has finalized the Code of Practice for Best Practice in Gene Synthesis. They stated that “this event represents a turning point in the self-regulation of synthetic biology” (“Code of Conduct for Best Practices in Gene Synthesis”). The IASB code gives engineers and scientists the freedom to research organisms and genes that could pose environmental or health risks, but in a safe way. The IASB addresses the possibility that synbio materials could be used inappropriately, for example, in terrorist activities. Engineers and scientists are expected to follow previous “standards of good practice” set out in the General Engineering Code of Ethics and carry out risk assessments of DNA sequences for genes. “Records of suspicious investigations” and “biosafety and bios statistics…… half of the document…… follows the general code of ethics, but only has a specific code of ethics for gene synthesis. This worries many people because they cannot see the ethical procedures of synthetic biologists and how these researchers would apply these rules in different situations. In time, there will be an agreed code of ethics for synthetic biology and this will help lift people's spirits into believing that valuable, but perhaps dangerous, information is less likely to fall into the wrong hands and that appropriate experimentation will be undertaken. The goal of synthetic biology is to improve medicine and protect the environment. Synthetic biologists want to cure cancer, provide new sources of energy and more sustainable food. People's concerns are legitimate and need to be addressed, but until these ethical concerns and possible risks are addressed, synthetic biology cannot move forward.