Genetically modified foods ethics — КиберПедия 

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Genetically modified foods ethics

2017-09-28 470
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Selective breeding has been used since agricul- ture began, with the development of cultivated crops from wild species and of domestic herds from wild animals. However, it is now possible to carry out gene transfers that could not occur in nature, even


gene transfers from the animal kingdom to the plant kingdom.

Some people have characterized this as 'playing God', with the implication that it is ethically unac- ceptable to interfere with nature. However, human beings are themselves part of nature and many reli- gious people would see the responsible exercise of scientific skills as being the employment of God- given abilities.

One of the major concerns about GM crops is their possible environmental effects. Insect-resistant strains may reduce the use of insecticides, but will genes spread from herbicide-resistant strains to pro- duce 'superweeds'? All interventions in nature run the risk of unanticipated upsets to its balance and, from the time that humans with stone axes began felling trees, agriculture has had significant envi- ronmental consequences. Because consequences are difficult to predict accurately, it is important that carefully controlled and monitored trials are used to gain the detailed knowledge on which ethically re- sponsible decisions can be based.

It is predicted that the world population, cur- rently approximately six billion, will rise to ap- proximately eight billion by the year 2020. Present agricultural resources, if their produce was fairly dis- tributed, could sustain approximately 6.4 billion people. Biotechnology offers considerable possibili- ties to help eliminate the anticipated shortfall. How- ever, there is also considerable concern that small-


scale farmers should not be exploited by large inter- national companies.

To these considerations must be added the uni- versal ethical obligation to respect the duty of safety. With regard to food safety, GM products do not seem to raise issues or demand the monitoring of techniques, different to those employed to assess the effects of ordinary foods.

 

12. Give the definitions to at least three of the following words:

Genetically modified foods, selective breed- ing, cultivated crops, gene transfers, environ- mental effects, insecticides, superweeds, herbi- cide-resistant strains, insect-resistant strains, ag- ricultural resources, small-scale farmers, food safety.

 

13. Make a plan of this text. Add it with the key- words.

14. Retell this text using your plan.

15. Read the text about human genetics ethics and translate it.

Human genetics ethics

The use of biotechnology in relation to human beings is governed by the Hippocratic principle that interventions must be for the benefit of the individ-


ual person concerned. Controversy in this area is not generated by dissent from this principle but by dis- agreement about what constitutes a human person, with all the moral rights appertaining to that status.

Some believe that this status is established at the moment of conception. If that is the case then no manipulation of the early embryo, other than for its own direct benefit, could be ethically justified. Oth- ers, however, take a more developmental view of the way in which a human fetus grows into a person, with the dawning of sentience and eventually of mentality. Currently, that research is also limited to projects investigating aspects of human fertility.

Although the repair of damaged tissues in the ill or injured is seen as being highly desirable, the crea- tion of a 'replacement person' is not so acceptable. Respect for the human person forbids this - not be- cause there is an intrinsic human right to possess a unique genome but because a human being is to be valued for their self and not used as a surrogate for another. The same moral intuition leads to an abhor- rence of the idea of using genetic manipulation to produce 'designer babies' with qualities according to parental specification. Persons are never to be com- modified: ethically, they are never means but always ends.

Science, by gaining knowledge, confers power; if that power is to be used to choose the good and refuse the bad then wisdom must be added to knowl- edge. This quest for judicious decisions will involve the participation of at least three parties: the experts,


the community of possible beneficiaries and the gen- eral public.

If this prospect of a rational debate about bio- technology is to be realized, a considerable educa- tional program will be required. It is clear that many people still lack the rudimentary degree of scientific understanding that is indispensable as the basis for reaching informed, ethical conclusions on these is- sues.

 

16. Answer the following questions:

1) What is the Hippocratic principle?

2) Is there a controversy in this area?

3) Who is a 'replacement person'?

4) What do people think about the creation of a ‘replacement person’?

5) What will involve the participation of at least three parties: the experts, the community of possible beneficiaries and the general public?

 

17. Write down questions to each paragraph.

18. Read and translate the text properly.


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