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Ethics are the rules or
standards that govern the
way people behave and their
decisions on the 'right'
thing to do. It asks basic
questions about what is
right and wrong, how we
should act towards others
and what we should do in
specific situations. It is
important to note that
ethics relating to
biotechnology and its
applications are not
fundamentally different from
other situations. Ethics are
practiced by everyone, every
day.
One common feature of
ethics is that different
people with different values
often disagree on the ‘right
thing’ for individuals and
society. One reason for this
disagreement is that one
thing may benefit some
people but not others.
An example is embryonic
stem cell research. Some
people see this as having
great potential to develop
cures for diseases. But,
others object because it
involves the destruction of
human embryos that have the
potential to become a human
being.
There is no clear right
or wrong position in ethics.
A person’s individual
experience and view of the
world often guides the way
they make ethical choices.
For instance, someone who
has a strong environmental
outlook might see the use of
genetically modified (GM)
crops as unnatural. But,
someone who has a strong
scientific-based view of the
world might see the use of
GM crops as a natural
extension of traditional
crop breeding technologies.
Commercial outcomes and
ethics
Many new technologies
raise ethical concerns that
might not be part of the
world view held by those who
develop the technologies in
the first place.
When it comes to
developing products for
commercial use, the goal is
usually to increase sales
and increase profits for
shareholders. The decision
for developing products can
be seen as good for industry
development, but perhaps not
as good for individuals who
do not have products
developed to suit their
needs when there is not
enough company profit to be
made.
Also, in some areas of
biotechnology development,
the money needed to fund
research projects is out of
the range of individuals or
small groups; it can only be
undertaken by multinational
or overseas companies. Some
perceive this as acceptable,
because it helps local
researchers form links with
wealthy larger companies.
But others do not think it
is not acceptable, because
local research and
development leave the
community and are then
controlled by international
corporations.
Many people believe that
biotechnology products and
applications should respond
to and fulfil community
needs. For example, some
products may be of obvious
social benefit (such as a
drug that treats cancer),
while others may be created
by a business for attractive
advertising and skilful
marketing (for example,
unusual-coloured flowers for
the floral industry, or
fluorescent fish for the pet
industry).
In a world with
decreasing resources, where
many people go hungry, is
spending research dollars on
developing a fluorescent
fish acceptable or not? Your
answer will differ depending
on your world view. The
‘right thing’ for one person
may not be right for others.
It can be very difficult to
balance these conflicting
views.
There are particular
ethical positions that are
commonly shared. One of
these is the view that all
biotechnology products must
be safe for humans and the
environment. This is why
Australia has developed a
sound regulatory system.
But, other ethical positions
are diverse, such as an
individual’s rights to do
what they want with their
body. |
