Download - Ethics in Biotechnology
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Ethics in Biotechnology
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Why Ethics in Biotechnology
• New technology• Plurality of moral convictions• Divergent economic, political, and social
objectives• Growing sensitivity of the public• Doubts of the public about internal control
mechanism of scientific institutions and the scientific community to adequately consider moral implications of research and its consequences
• Complexity of ethical issues involved
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Morale and Ethics?• „Morale″ ← Latin „mores″ : custom, habit... indicates the distinction between what is good and what is evil in the everyday life
• „Ethics″ ← Greek „ethos″ : tradition, habit... the philosophical study of the principles at the basis of morale
Etymology of the two words speaks one's mind:both ethics and morale are the result of the society's evolution towards "standard" behaviours.
Operational definition of morale:„... those standards everyone wants everyone to follow, even if everyone else´s following them means having to follow them oneself.″ (M. Davis)
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Morale and Ethics
• MoralsEncompass all forms of human behaviour and action that is implicitly or explicitly aligned with values and norms
• Ethicsis the methodological reflection on morals and law, i.e. identification and consideration of values and norms with which we align our action
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Morale & EthicsTHREE BASIS OF
RESTRAINT
level enforcement restriction example
LEGAL INSTITUTIONS USUALLY FREE, UNLESS RIGHTS
INVOLVED
Freedom to experiment, unless
illegalETHICAL GROUP AGREED BY THE
GROUPDo No (direct)
Harm (to patient)
MORAL SELF EVEN IF EVERYONE SAYS YES, I WILL
NOT
Will Refuse if there is
INDIRECT HARM
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Bioethics
Bioethics: A discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications
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The Bioethical Challenge
Is Biotechnology Morally Acceptable?
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Two Kinds of Ethical Arguments Used to Evaluate Concerns Over Biotechnology
• Extrinsic objections say the possible consequences of some biotech applications are objectionable, but others may be acceptable GMOs are wrong because risks outweigh benefits.
• Intrinsic objections say the process of biotechnology is objectionable in itself GMOs are wrong , no matter how great the benefits.
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1. Extrinsic objections
A. Unsafe for consumers
“Frankenfoods”
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2. Extrinsic objections
B. Unsafe for environments “superweeds”
–Herbicide resistance - canola gene flows into weedy relatives
–Bt toxin kills monarch butterfly larvae
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Extrinsic objections C. Unfair to small farmers
“Rich get richer,poor get
poorer”
Vandana Shiva Monocultures of the Mind
she has established Navdanya, a movement for biodiversity conservation and farmers' rights
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The Business of Science Challenge
Does the business of biotechnology corrupt the purpose and integrity of the process of the science?
Or can business and scientific partnerships be beneficial for society?
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The Business of Science• Critics:– Focusing on profits contradicts the purpose of science - to
enhance or improve the quality of life– Biotechnology commodifies life and leads to reductionist
science
• Advocates:– The spiraling costs of R & D required to bring a product to
market justifies the closer ties of science and business– This relationship has been beneficial to society and has
contributed to the public good
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Ethical arguments against GM foods
1. Extrinsic objections
2. Intrinsic objections
GM foods are wrong no matter how great the benefits may be.
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Intrinsic objections
GM foods are wrong because it’s wrong to:
1. Play God2. Invent world changing
technology3. Cross species boundaries4. Reproduce by nonsexual
means5. Disrupt integrity, beauty,
balance of nature6. Harm sentient beings
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Intrinsic objections
1. We should not play God
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Intrinsic objections
1. Don’t play God
Counter-examples:
–High tech medicine
–God wants us to genetically engineer food
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Intrinsic objections
2. We should not change the world through new technology
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Intrinsic objections
2. No world-changing technology
Counter-example:Agriculture
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Intrinsic objections
3. We should not cross natural species boundaries
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Intrinsic objections
3. Don’t cross species
Counter-examples:• Mules• Hybrid wheat
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Intrinsic objections
4. We should not use nonsexual means to reproduce
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Intrinsic objections
4. Don’t reproduce nonsexually
Counter-examples:• GIFT and in vitro• Plant cuttings
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Intrinsic objections to ag biotech
5. We should not disrupt the integrity, beauty and balance of creation
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Intrinsic objections to ag biotech
5. Don’t disrupt nature
Problems:• An extrinsic objection• Is / ought problem
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Intrinsic objections
6. We should not harm sentient beings
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Intrinsic objections
6. Don’t harm sentient beings
Problems:• An extrinsic objection
• Meat-eaters accept harm to animals
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Conclusion: Intrinsic objections are not sound
1. Playing God2. Invent world changing technology3. Cross species boundaries4. Reproduce nonsexually5. Disrupt integrity and beauty of nature6. Harm sentient beings
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Extrinsic objections
• Unsafe for consumers? Food allergens, toxins
• Unsafe for environment?–Unintended effects on nontarget organisms–Gene flow, development of resistant weeds
• Unfair to small farmers? Rich get richer, poor get poorer
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Extrinsic objections
•Are valid concerns
•Demand scientific and political attention
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Extrinsic objections
•Support: Regulatory oversight on case-by-case basis•Do not support: a ban on all GM crops
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Ethical arguments FOR GM foods
Potential to improve:– Diets in developing countries– Efficiency of food production– Safety and purity of food– Agricultural sustainability – Diversity of agro-ecosystems
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Enhanced nutrition
Vitamin A RiceIron Enhanced RiceAmino Acid Balance
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Insect resistance
• Bt corn– Insect resistance from
Bacillus thuringiensis– Non-toxic to humans– Target insect: corn borer– 40% U.S. Corn crop Bt– Potential to reduce
insecticide use
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Disease resistance
• Potatoes• Squash• Tomatoes• Corn• Rice• Canola• Soybeans• Grapes• Cantaloupes• Cucumbers
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Genetic engineering in microbes: enzymes
• Recombinant Chymosin – Enzyme used for cheese
making – Originally from calf stomach– Bovine gene expressed in
GRAS microbes– FDA approved 1990– Now used in 70% of U.S.
cheese
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Recombinant amino acids
• Aspartame– Artificial sweetener– Made from aspartic acid
and phenylalanine– Used in 5,000 products
• Monosodium glutamate
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Recombinant alpha amylase
• Used to make HFCS• Gras status in 1995• 10% U.S. corn crop
processed into syrups
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The Challenge of Consumer Choice
Does society have an ethical obligation to maximize consumer knowledge and
choice?
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Consumer Choice – The Issue of Labeling
• Advocates of consumer labeling criticize efforts NOT to label food containing genetically modified organisms. They argue: “If biotech foods are safe and risk free, then why are you afraid to let us know what we are buying?”
• Consumers with food allergies, vegetarians, and those with religious dietary restrictions have a right to know
• Consumers should be able to choose the type and quality of food they consume, and the production system they want to support with their food dollar
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Consumer Choice –Opposition to Labeling
• Labeling is unnecessary because biotech foods contain genetic material from other natural products - nothing is added that does not already exist in nature
• Organic labeling standards exist. If you are opposed to consuming genetically modified food ingredients, simply buy organic!
• Labeling does not change consumer behavior
• Why must everyone pay for the cost of labeling that is demanded by a few?
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Key Challenges of Agricultural Biotechnology
• Can we capture the potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology in a fair and equitable way for today’s and future generations?
• Can we balance the interests of human society and the environment using biotechnology?
• Can biotechnology contribute to sustainable agricultural systems?
• How should we frame the biotechnology issue?