issues and ethics in biotechnology
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Issues and Ethics in Biotechnology. ETHICS. Set of moral principles governing an individual’s action Reflects morality (perception of what is right) Essential in making decisions. BIOETHICS. Ethics relating to biology and medicine - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Issues and Ethics in Biotechnology
ETHICSSet of moral principles governing
an individual’s actionReflects morality (perception of
what is right)Essential in making decisions
BIOETHICSEthics relating to biology and
medicine “…ethical analysis of normative
problems in the biomedical sciences, medical practices, and health care management.”
Moral issues brought about by biological advances
Pest Resistance: Bt Corn
Herbicide Tolerance
“Roundup Ready”
Enhanced Nutrition
Golden rice
Issues of plant GMOsGM crops may have adverse effects
on human consumersModified DNA from GM crops may
spread to non-modified crops with bad consequences
Weeds and pests may adapt and mutate to attack the GM crops, leading to more vicious weeds and pests
GM Animals
Fast-growing salmon
Issues about transgenic animals
GM animals may damage wild populations
GM animals may disrupt the ecological balance
GM animals may have adverse effects on human consumers
Ethical Arguments About Biotechnology
Intrinsic: Biotechnology is good/bad in itself
Extrinsic: Biotechnology is good/bad because of: its consequences the motivations behind:
advocacy of biotech oropposition to biotech
PRINCIPLE-BASED BIOETHICSETHICAL PRINCIPLES
• AUTONOMY– Right to freely participate in/decide on a course of
action (no undue influence)• BENEFICENCE
– Promote the wellbeing of others (e.g. in the best interest of the client)
• NONMALEFICENCE– Avoiding harm
• JUSTICE– Fairness and equality
Key Principles
Principle1. Respect for
persons/Autonomy2. Beneficence3. Justice4. Non-maleficence
Application1. Informed consent
2. Assessment of risks/benefits
3. Fair selection of subjects4. Assuring no harm to
subjects Notable in that research ethics guidelines were expanded to cover all research
Intrinsic Arguments Against Biotechnology
Premise: Genetic engineering is unnatural.
Conclusion: Therefore, genetic engineering is intrinsically wrong. Is this a good argument?
Extrinsic Arguments About Biotechnology
Biotechnology is good/bad because of its consequences.
Three ways to evaluate consequences: Do no harm (avoid bad consequences). Maximize good consequences and minimize bad
ones for all affected. Justice: Fair distribution of good and bad
consequences among all affected.
Extrinsic Arguments About Biotechnology
Biotechnology is good/bad because of the motivations of its proponents/opponents.
Extrinsic Arguments About Biotechnology
Environmental consequencesHuman health consequencesWho benefits?Who decides?
Issues in DNA SequencingDNA sequencing – unmask the
tendency to acquire a genetic disease
ProsThe individual can make lifestyle
changes earlier to avoid diseaseThe individual can apply for genetic
treatment for such a diseaseEarlier detection can possibly help in
psychological adjustments
Issues in DNA SequencingCons
The genetic data can be used by others for nefarious purposes
If not guarded properly, the genetic data can become public
Insurance companies may use the genetic data against the owner
Fear of the possibility of genetic discrimination
Issues in Intellectual propertyWho owns the right to the GMO?Is the intellectual property
ownership fair?Was the intellectual property claim
legitimate and proper?Will commercialization of the
GMO/biotechnology lead to unfair practices?
EXERCISEScientists at a government research
institute in the Philippines have developed the Ultimate Rice in their work funded by Blackstar Industries. Ultimate Rice is a breed of rice capable of surviving floods and droughts, resistant to pests, fast-growing, and with high levels of vitamins. However, Blackstar Industries wants to market the rice on the market. The government wants to sell it cheap, while farmers want the government to give it to them for free.
EXERCISEDefend your positions as the:
Scientists who developed the Ultimate Rice (Montero)
Blackstar Industries (Arambulo)Farmers looking to grow the Ultimate
Rice (Cuevas)The government research institute
(Constantino)Government agency on intellectual
property