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Ethical Challenges in Biotechnology

The document discusses several key bioethical issues raised by biotechnology, including whether governments should decide ethics and what those ethics should be. It also outlines debates around releasing genetically modified organisms and the environmental impacts, generating new infectious organisms, using genetically engineered agents as biological controls, and the ethical issues around cloning animals and humans as well as new reproductive technologies.

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nitralekha
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274 views1 page

Ethical Challenges in Biotechnology

The document discusses several key bioethical issues raised by biotechnology, including whether governments should decide ethics and what those ethics should be. It also outlines debates around releasing genetically modified organisms and the environmental impacts, generating new infectious organisms, using genetically engineered agents as biological controls, and the ethical issues around cloning animals and humans as well as new reproductive technologies.

Uploaded by

nitralekha
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ETHICAL ISSUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Explain bioethical issues.. Effect on biotechnology Causes Types


The key questions that arise when ethical issues are raised, are:
_ Should government decide the ethics? and _ What should those ethics be?

The current debate on ethical issues related to biotechnology in agriculture and healthcare has raised certain debating points in the following fields: _ Release of genetically-modified plants and animals to the environment could cause disturbance in the existing ecological balance in an unpredictable manner. _ The release or use of genetically-engineered microorganisms for industrial purposes can lead to the generation of new infectious types of organisms. _ Introduction of artificial agents (such as genetically-engineered bacteria, fish, etc.) as biological control agents can cause serious imbalance in the environment and can lead to disastrous consequences. _ Genetic engineering of plants for herbicide resistance and enhanced photosynthesis could result in more tolerant weeds, as a result of crosspollination with related plant species. _ Cloning of animals and humans caused much debate on ethical issues. There are a number of social and ethical issues that will be affected by biotechnology. For example, the social and ethical problems associated with new reproductive technologies, which include in vitro fertilization and human cloning. There are also technological risks associated with human and animal cloning. There is uncertainty regarding the current state of technology. _ The new reproductive technologies may be harmful for individual autonomy, equality, protection of the vulnerable, accountability, respect for human life and dignity, non-commercialization of reproduction, appropriate use of resources, and balancing individual and collective interests.

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