Social & ethical issues in genetic engineering
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Social & Ethical Issues in Genetic EngineeringRibhu VashishthaP301111FMG009NU-MBA 2011-13
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.
History• The direct transfer of DNA from one organism to another
was first accomplished by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973.
• The first genetically engineered plant was tobacco, reported in 1983 by Michael Bevan, Richard B. Flavell and Mary-Dell Chilton. Through tissue culture techniques a single tobacco cell was selected that contained the gene and a new plant grown from it.
• In 1976 Genentech, the first genetic engineering company was founded by Herbert Boyer and Robert Swanson.
• The first field trials of genetically engineered plants occurred in France and the USA in 1986, tobacco plants were engineered to be resistant to herbicides.
Applications1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
2. Cloning
Applications1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
2. Cloning
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
Change or modify plants and even animals in ways that would make them better from a human standpoint.
• Transferring DNA
Controversial Issues
Plant BacteriumAnimal
Plant Species
Issues
• Labeling• Control over Technology• Eagerness for Production
Is It Ethical
Three principles to evaluate :
1. General Welfare2. Maintaining peoples’ rights3. Justice
Think
1. Technology pose risk ?2. Implication on rights of consumers3. Implication on rights of scientists
Applications
1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
2. Cloning
Cloning
The production of genetically identical organisms via somatic cell nuclear transfer.
• Started in Feb 1997• Ian Wilmut and his colleagues at
Roslin Institute in Scotland were able to clone a lamb
Examples:
Benefits• Renew activity of damaged cells• Act as Organ donors• Infertile parents
Issues
• Experimentation on humans
• Diminished sense of identity and individuality
Reasons why ethics are associated with Genetic Engineering
• Privacy issues and fair use of genetic information.• Social implications and the ability of patients to
give informed consent to increasingly complex and controversial procedures.
• Foundational principles of human dignity and the common good.
• The integration of genetic technologies into the clinical setting.
• Genetic research is commercially driven to a very substantial degree.
Thank You