Chapter 19

Issues and Ethics

Identifying an Issue• Issue: a subject or problem

that has more than one point of view

• Somatic Cells: cells that compose tissues, organs, and parts of the body

Identifying an Issue cont.

• Germ Cells: makes up the reproductive systems and organisms

Major Issues in Biotechnology

Changing the genetic material of an organism using artificial means

Planting genetically modified plants

Raising genetically modified animals

Major Issues in Biotechnology cont.

• Consuming foods from genetically modified plants and animals

• Using substances that alter or enhance the normal processes of plants and animals

Major Issues

• Maintaining genetic diversity in wild plants and animals

• Taking drugs produced through genetic modification

• Injecting foreign genes into the human body to promote good health

• Properly identify the problem or issue

• Good information is needed to properly deal with an issue

• Identify possible solutions to the issue

Actions Plans

Action Plans cont.

• Identify the consequences of using possible solutions

• Focus on the one best solution

• Implement the solution

Ethics and Biotech• Ethics: a set of principles that

guide human actions• Bioethics: the area of ethics that

deals with the life sciences• Religion: a system of beliefs and

practices that an individual chooses to follow

Ethics in Science• Divided into three areas:

–Scientific misconduct

–Questionable research practices

–Other misconduct

Religion and Biotech• Influence biotech 2 different ways:

–Religion set moral rules that will influence the way a person perceives what is good or bad

–Common fact that God created life

Ethics and the Future of Biotech• Developments are limited by

advancements in science and by ethical rules.

• Some of the progress are considered morally unacceptable exp. Cloning

Bill Clinton Says….. “Banning human cloning

reflects our humanity. At its worst, this could lead to misguided and malevolent attempts to

select certain traits, even to create certain kinds of children – to

make our children objects rather that

cherished individuals.”

The Human Genome Project

• Identify all genes in human DNA (80,000 to 100,000)

• Determine the sequences of the chemical base pairs

• Maintain databases of the information• Develop methods of data analysis• Study ethical issues associate with human

genome information and uses

ELSI• ELSI is the acronym for Ethical,

Legal, and Social Issues Program of the Human Genome Project.

• ELSI focuses on four areas:

–Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information.

ELSI

–Safe and effective introduction of genetic information in the clinical setting.

–Fairness in the use of genetic information.

–Professional and public education.

The End