Difference between revisions of "Ethics of Biotechnology"
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| − | '''Biotechnology''' is broadly defined as any kind of technology that makes use of living systems to create products and solve problems.<ref name="biotech"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica . Britannica. 23 Jul. 2021 https://www.britannica.com/technology/biotechnology</ref> As technology in the biological science realm has taken off at an increasingly fast rate over the past few decades, countless ethical questions surrounding the use of these technologies have been raised and debated. Ethics is defined by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics as standards of right and wrong that underlie what people "should" do in different scenarios.<ref name="ethics"> Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer. "What is Ethics?" ''Markkula Center for Applied Ethics''. Santa Clara University. 1 Jan. 2010 https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/</ref> In the context of biotechnology, points of ethical concern have been raised in six main realms: safety, liberty, justice, environmental nature, human nature, and religious beliefs.<ref>https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/biotech-ethics</ref> The lines dividing what is right and wrong have been blurred by modern technological advancements involving topics such as gene editing, customer-facing genetic testing, and stem cell research. This article will focus on some of the ethical concerns at the forefront of | + | '''Biotechnology''' is broadly defined as any kind of technology that makes use of living systems to create products and solve problems.<ref name="biotech"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica . Britannica. 23 Jul. 2021 https://www.britannica.com/technology/biotechnology</ref> As technology in the biological science realm has taken off at an increasingly fast rate over the past few decades, countless ethical questions surrounding the use of these technologies have been raised and debated. Ethics is defined by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics as standards of right and wrong that underlie what people "should" do in different scenarios.<ref name="ethics"> Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer. "What is Ethics?" ''Markkula Center for Applied Ethics''. Santa Clara University. 1 Jan. 2010 https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/</ref> In the context of biotechnology, points of ethical concern have been raised in six main realms: safety, liberty, justice, environmental nature, human nature, and religious beliefs.<ref>https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/biotech-ethics</ref> The lines dividing what is right and wrong have been blurred by modern technological advancements involving topics such as gene editing, customer-facing genetic testing, and stem cell research. This article will focus on some of the ethical concerns at the forefront of debate within the modern biotechnology industry. |
== Background == | == Background == | ||
| − | While | + | While the concept of modern biotechnology has been associated with relatively recent developments in science and technology in the past few decades, humans have been using biological systems to develop products and assist processes for thousands of years. The first examples of biotechnology in civilization include early food science and bread-making, alcohol fermentation, and food preservation. The development of a redefined meaning of biotechnology in the modern era is a product of 20th century advancements in recombinant DNA technology, also known as genetic engineering.<ref name="biotech"></ref> |
| − | + | ||
| + | Developments in biotechnology began taking off in the early 1950s with the discovery of the double-helix DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. In 1966, another major development took place when researchers uncovered the genetic code. The "dawn of biotech" began in the 1970s when companies began to apply the new knowledge of genes and DNA experimentation. <ref>https://iopscience.iop.org/book/978-0-7503-1299-8/chapter/bk978-0-7503-1299-8ch1</ref> The company Genentech, established in 1976 by Robert A. Swanson and Herbert W. Boyer, is largely credited as the frontrunner pharmaceutical company to commercialize DNA editing technology<ref name="biotech"></ref>. | ||
== Customer-Facing Genetic Testing == | == Customer-Facing Genetic Testing == | ||
Revision as of 00:15, 6 February 2022
Biotechnology is broadly defined as any kind of technology that makes use of living systems to create products and solve problems.[1] As technology in the biological science realm has taken off at an increasingly fast rate over the past few decades, countless ethical questions surrounding the use of these technologies have been raised and debated. Ethics is defined by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics as standards of right and wrong that underlie what people "should" do in different scenarios.[2] In the context of biotechnology, points of ethical concern have been raised in six main realms: safety, liberty, justice, environmental nature, human nature, and religious beliefs.[3] The lines dividing what is right and wrong have been blurred by modern technological advancements involving topics such as gene editing, customer-facing genetic testing, and stem cell research. This article will focus on some of the ethical concerns at the forefront of debate within the modern biotechnology industry.
Contents
Background
While the concept of modern biotechnology has been associated with relatively recent developments in science and technology in the past few decades, humans have been using biological systems to develop products and assist processes for thousands of years. The first examples of biotechnology in civilization include early food science and bread-making, alcohol fermentation, and food preservation. The development of a redefined meaning of biotechnology in the modern era is a product of 20th century advancements in recombinant DNA technology, also known as genetic engineering.[1]
Developments in biotechnology began taking off in the early 1950s with the discovery of the double-helix DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. In 1966, another major development took place when researchers uncovered the genetic code. The "dawn of biotech" began in the 1970s when companies began to apply the new knowledge of genes and DNA experimentation. [4] The company Genentech, established in 1976 by Robert A. Swanson and Herbert W. Boyer, is largely credited as the frontrunner pharmaceutical company to commercialize DNA editing technology[1].
Customer-Facing Genetic Testing
Theranos Scandal
23andMe
2013 FDA Ban
Privacy Concerns
Stem Cell Controversy
History
Emergence of Embryonic Stem Cells
Points of Debate
Genetic Engineering
Embryo Gene Editing
"Designer Babies"
He Jiankui Controversy
Eugenics
Privacy Concerns
Biotechnology Laws
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica . Britannica. 23 Jul. 2021 https://www.britannica.com/technology/biotechnology
- ↑ Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer. "What is Ethics?" Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. 1 Jan. 2010 https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/
- ↑ https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/biotech-ethics
- ↑ https://iopscience.iop.org/book/978-0-7503-1299-8/chapter/bk978-0-7503-1299-8ch1
