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Issues and Ethics in Biotechnology

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

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Issues and Ethics in Biotechnology

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  1. Issues and Ethics in Biotechnology

  2. ETHICS • Set of moral principles governing an individual’s action • Reflects morality (perception of what is right) • Essential in making decisions

  3. BIOETHICS • Ethics 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

  4. Pest Resistance: Bt Corn

  5. Herbicide Tolerance “Roundup Ready”

  6. Enhanced Nutrition Golden rice

  7. Issues of plant GMOs • GM crops may have adverse effects on human consumers • Modified 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

  8. GM Animals • Fast-growing salmon

  9. 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

  10. Ethical Arguments About Biotechnology • Intrinsic: Biotechnology is good/bad in itself • Extrinsic: Biotechnology is good/bad because of: • itsconsequences • the motivations behind: • advocacy of biotech or • opposition to biotech

  11. PRINCIPLE-BASED BIOETHICS ETHICAL 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

  12. Key Principles Principle Application Informed consent Assessment of risks/benefits Fair selection of subjects Assuring no harm to subjects • Respect for persons/Autonomy • Beneficence • Justice • Non-maleficence • Notable in that research ethics guidelines were expanded to cover all research

  13. Intrinsic Arguments Against Biotechnology • Premise: Genetic engineering is unnatural. • Conclusion: Therefore, genetic engineering is intrinsically wrong. • Is this a good argument?

  14. 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.

  15. Extrinsic Arguments About Biotechnology • Biotechnology is good/bad because of the motivations of its proponents/opponents.

  16. Extrinsic Arguments About Biotechnology • Environmental consequences • Human health consequences • Who benefits? • Who decides?

  17. Issues in DNA Sequencing • DNA sequencing – unmask the tendency to acquire a genetic disease • Pros • The individual can make lifestyle changes earlier to avoid disease • The individual can apply for genetic treatment for such a disease • Earlier detection can possibly help in psychological adjustments

  18. Issues in DNA Sequencing • Cons • 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

  19. Issues in Intellectual property • Who 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?

  20. EXERCISE • Scientists at a government research institute in the Philippines have developed the Ultimate Rice in their work funded by BlackstarIndustries. 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.

  21. EXERCISE • Defend your positions as the: • Scientists who developed the Ultimate Rice (Valin) • Blackstar Industries (Ko) • Farmers looking to grow the Ultimate Rice (Dizon) • The government research institute (Garlitos) • Government agency on intellectual property (Gorom)

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