Bioethics

The study of the ethical and moral implications

of new biological discoveries and biomedical

advances.

Bioethics1. Future focused (where is research going?)

2. Legal dilemmas (patents, who owns GM?)

3. Worst case scenarios (superweeds, loss of diversity)

4. Right to information (e.g. employers?)

5. public confidence (e.g. perception of risk, zoonosis)

6. rights of developing nations (e.g. exploitation of genetic information of indigenous people)

“A moral principle in genetic testing is that it should always be done with the consent of the individual. No one wants someone snooping into his DNA” Arthur L Caplan (1999)

“ If people think that the parts are treated like commodities, bought and sold, they may be much less willing to give. Bodies aren't the same as Coca-Cola cans Arthur L Caplan (1999)

People ask, 'Is the science going to run ahead of the ethics?' I don't think that's always the problem. I think it's that the science runs ahead of the politics. Bioethics can alert people to something coming down the road, but it doesn't mean policy and politicians are going to pay attention.

‘’The use of foetuses as organ and tissue donors is a ticking time bomb of bioethics’’

Who owns and regulates the GMOs?

Third world economies at risk of exploitation

Biological risks have not been adequately addressed

Animal ethics issues

The costs of errors

Environmentally friendly

Could improve thesustainability of crop andlivestock production

Could potentially benefitthe health of many

More predictable anddirected thanselective breeding

Ethical Framework

1. Rights / duties 2. Benefit / harm3. Right to choose 4. Is it “virtuous” or

not.

Right or wrong?

1. Arguments convincingly supported by sound reasoning

2. Arguments are conducted within a well established ethical framework

3. A reasonable degree of consensus exists about the validity of the conclusion (genuine debate)

4. Decision sounds right, feels right, and after talking about it, people generally agree it’s right.

Medical and Food Biotechnology

• http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/biotechlearn/themes/bioethics/video_clips/the_ethics_of_medicine_and_food_biotechnology_v0162

Video Activity – Where do you stand on the position of GMO’s in Agriculture

It’s a great idea.................or...........................it should never be used!!(or somewhere in between......)

Personal DNA testing

• This video segment (5min) examines the realm of personal DNA testing. It describes the latest tests, which look for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These single-letter differences in DNA sequence make humans unique from one another but may also predispose people to certain diseases.

• http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/biot09_vid_prsnldna/

Video Activity (Groups of 3)

• List two or three of the ethical issues regarding the creation of DNA databases through DNA sequencing and PCR.

• Name some ways in which each of the following groups stand to benefit or be harmed from the sharing of an individual's DNA as well as other personal/lifestyle information: – Drug companies – Medical practitioners – Insurers – Employers – The "public“

Extension

• Biotechnology Learning Hub | Thinking Tools• http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/biotechlearn/

thinking_tools/ethics_thinking_tool

HGP BioethicsEthical, legal, and social issues surrounding availability of HGP genetic information:

Fairness in the use of genetic information

Privacy and confidentiality

Psychological impact and stigmatization

Reproductive issues

Clinical issues including the education ofhealth service providers and the general public

Uncertainties associated with gene tests

Conceptual and philosophical implications

Health and environmental issues concerning genetically modified foods

Commercialization of products including property rights

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arising from the HGP:

Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others.

Who should have access to personal genetic information, and how will it be used?

Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information.

Who owns and controls genetic information?

Psychological impact and stigmatization due to an individual's genetic differences.

How does personal genetic information affect an individual and society's perceptions of that individual?

How does genomic information affect members of minority communities?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arising from the HGP:

Reproductive issues including adequate informed consent for complex and potentially controversial procedures, use of genetic information in reproductive decision making, and reproductive rights.

Do healthcare personnel properly counsel parents about the risks and limitations of genetic technology?

How reliable and useful is fetal genetic testing?

What are the larger societal issues raised by new reproductive technologies?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arising from the HGP:

Clinical issues including the education of doctors and other health service providers, patients, and the general public in genetic capabilities, scientific limitations, and social risks.

Implementation of standards and quality-control measures in testing procedures.

How will genetic tests be evaluated and regulated for accuracy, reliability, and utility?

How do we prepare healthcare professionals for the new genetics?

How do we prepare the public to make informed choices?

How do we as a society balance current scientific limitations and social risk with long-term benefits?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arisingfrom the HGP:

Uncertainties associated with gene tests for susceptibilities and complex conditions (e.g. heart disease) linked to multiple genes and gene-environment interactions.

Should testing be performed when no treatment is available?

Should parents have the right to have their minor children tested for adult-onset diseases?

Are genetic tests reliable and interpretable by the medical community?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arising from the HGP:

Conceptual and philosophical implications regarding human responsibility, free will vs genetic determinism, and concepts of health and disease.

Do people's genes make them behave in a particular way?

Can people always control their behavior?

What is considered acceptable diversity?

Where is the line between medical treatment and enhancement?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

HGP BioethicsSocietal concerns arising from the HGP:

Health and environmental issues concerning genetically modified foods (GM) and microbes.

Are GM foods and other products safe to humans and the environment?

How will these technologies affect developing nations' dependence on the West?

Commercialization of products including property rights (patents, copyrights, and trade secrets) and accessibility of data and materials.

Who owns genes and other pieces of DNA?

Will patenting DNA sequences limit their accessibility and development into useful products?

Source: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

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