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 (Valin)

Blackstar Industries (Ko)Farmers looking to grow the Ultimate

Rice (Dizon)The government research institute

(Garlitos)Government agency on intellectual

property (Gorom)