Download 7.5. Issues and Ethics in Biotech and Genetic Engineering

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 plants
 Pest and herbicide resistance
 Enhanced nutrition
 Hardier varieties
GM Animals
 Fast growth
 Enhanced nutrition
 Creation 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 or
 opposition 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 consequences
Human health consequences
Who benefits?
Who decides?
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
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
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
()