Social and Ethical Considerations of Agro-biotechnology

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Social and Ethical Considerations
ofAgro-biotechnology

• Gary A. Goreham, Ph.D.
• Department of Sociology/Anthropology
• North Dakota State University

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• Biotechnology, in general, and genetically
  modified organisms (GMOs), in particular, pose
  many social and ethical questions.
• Our discussion today will explore some of these
  questions.

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The Sociology of Genetically Modified Organisms
The Social Psychology of GMOs
Macro-Structural Issues Government, Private
Industry, and International Relations
Micro-Structural Issues Small Groups and
Communities
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The Social Psychology of GMOs

• What is the social psychology and cosmology
  regarding humans place in/connection to nature
  as a result of the genetic revolution?
• How are public perceptions of GMOs affected by
  the larger questions of biotechnology and human
  cloning?
• What are environmentalists, faith communitys,
  etc. attitudes toward GMOs?
• How do social movement organizations shape
  attitudes toward GMOs?
• What are producers attitudes toward/adoption of
  GMOs?
• What are consumer awareness of/attitudes toward
  GMOs?

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Micro-Structural IssuesSmall Groups and
Communities

• What are the characteristics of those who can and
  cant afford GMOs technology?
• What are the consequences for producers for
  adopting or not adopting GMOs?
• What are the employment, social capital,
  conflict, and development implications for rural
  communities?
• How have the relationships among residents in
  rural neighborhoods been affected by GMOs?

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Macro-Structural Issues Government, Private
Industry, International Relations

• Who are the beneficiaries of GMOs producers,
  consumers, agribusiness, general public?
• What about the monopoly of the agro-food system
  by transnational corporations?

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Market Share Controlled by Largest Food Firms
Heffernan, et al., 1996.
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Macro-Structural Issues Government, Private
Industry, International Relations

• Who are the beneficiaries of GMOs producers,
  consumers, agribusiness, general public?
• What about the monopoly of the agro-food system
  by transnational corporations?
• What are the connections among government-subsidiz
  ed GMO research, private industry, and government
  regulation?
• How about patent and intellectual property
  rights?
• Whose responsibility is it to clean-up genetic
  contamination?
• What is the Impact on the structure of
  agriculture in Developing Nations?
• How about GMOs as military, economic weapons
  genetic terrorism?

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The Ethics of Genetically Modified Organisms
Ethical Principles
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Autonomy
Justice
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Beneficence

• Beneficence to do good unconditional goodwill
  and compassion.
• Can GMOs feed a hungry world?
• Is GMO engineering, technology, and agriculture
  sustainable? Profitable? Healthy?

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Autonomy

• Autonomy self-determination respect for
  persons.
• What limits human action Gods or Natures
  design? Human knowledge (science) or ability
  (technology)?
• To what degree should GMO engineering,
  technology, and agriculture be regulated?
• Labeling Do individuals have a right to know in
  order to make informed decisions?

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Non-maleficence

• Non-maleficence do no evil or harm
  risk-benefit analysis.
• What are the biological, environmental, health,
  and economic risks of GMOs? Are they safe?
• What could happen? What should happen?
• Who will decide?
• Are the risks acceptable? And do the benefits
  outweigh the risks?

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Justice

• Justice equity fair treatment for all people.
• Should private individuals or corporations have
  the right to patent genes or life forms?
• How equitably will the benefits and risks be
  distributed?

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The current state of affairs regarding the social
and ethical implications of genetically modified
organisms? We have far more questions than
answers!