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 “…ethical analysis of normative

problems in the biomedical sciences, medical practices, and health care management.”

Moral issues brought about by biological advances

Genetic Engineering

The creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

These GMOs are created for various purposes

Genetic Engineering

GM plantsPest and herbicide resistanceEnhanced nutritionHardier varieties

GM AnimalsFast growthEnhanced nutritionCreation of therapeutic proteins

(drugs, vaccines)

Pest Resistance: Bt Corn

Herbicide Tolerance

“Roundup Ready”

Enhanced Nutrition

Golden rice

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

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

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 Sequencing

DNA 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 Sequencing

ConsThe 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 ownerFear of the possibility of genetic

discrimination

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?

EXERCISE

Scientists 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.

EXERCISE

Defend your positions as the:Scientists who developed the Ultimate

Rice (Rozul )Blackstar Industries (Ruiz)Farmers looking to grow the Ultimate

Rice (Espinosa)The government research institute ()Government agency on intellectual

property ()