Biotechnology Ethics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a key ethical principle that addresses potential harm in modern biotechnology?

Risk aversion

Utilitarianism (correct)

Technological determinism

Economic efficiency

Which question is critical in understanding the harm related to biotechnology?

What innovations are occurring in biotechnology?

What are the economic benefits of biotechnology?

What ethical principles should guide us? (correct)

What genetic modifications are being used?

Which stakeholder group should be considered when evaluating potential harm in biotechnology?

Both humans and animals (correct)

Only humans

Only the environment

Only corporations

What aspect must be understood thoroughly to make sound ethical judgments?

Scientific facts relating to the case Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized when assessing options in biotechnology ethics?

Creative problem solving Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions helps in identifying gaps in knowledge before making decisions in biotechnology ethics?

What information do we not know that we should know? Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle emphasizes the distribution of harms and benefits among stakeholders?

Theories of justice Signup and view all the answers

What type of principle is concerned with potential hazards before engaging in biotechnology?

Precautionary principle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of bioethics?

The ethics of certain biological researches Signup and view all the answers

Which category of moral concerns relates to the broader impacts of biotechnology applications?

Extrinsic concern Signup and view all the answers

What potential negative effect is associated with herbicide or insect-resistant GM crops?

Decreased biodiversity in natural ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What do 'super-weeds' refer to in the context of GM crops?

Wild plants with GMO traits making them difficult to control Signup and view all the answers

What concern is raised regarding horizontal gene transfer in GMOs?

The potential development of new diseases Signup and view all the answers

Why are the results of risk assessment studies on GMOs often questioned?

They are often funded by producers with vested interests. Signup and view all the answers

What is needed for better understanding the impact of GMOs on the environment?

Independently conducted risk assessment studies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes intrinsic ethical concerns in biotechnology?

Concerns that arise purely within biological research contexts Signup and view all the answers

What should be prioritized in the event of a conflict between ethical and non-ethical values?

Ethical values Signup and view all the answers

Which company opted for an ethical decision by withdrawing its allergenic GM peanuts?

Pioneer Hi-Bred Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential consideration in multicultural societies when making ethical decisions?

Cultural values and beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the protection of human health and the environment from biotechnology's adverse effects?

Biosafety Signup and view all the answers

How can moral closure be achieved according to the content provided?

By ensuring all stakeholders are heard Signup and view all the answers

What is a goal of biosafety in relation to GMOs?

To predict hazards to human health Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle is suggested to be prioritized when evaluating alternatives in biotechnology?

Environmental ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary ethical concern related to the commercialization of science?

Shifting focus to profitable corporate activities Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative effect of GMOs mentioned in the content?

Negative impacts on biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes scientists' views on the risks of GMOs?

Many acknowledge the potential risks Signup and view all the answers

What right do consumers primarily claim regarding GM foods?

Knowledge about the safety issues related to GM foods Signup and view all the answers

What major problem arises from the patenting of GMOs?

It creates a monopoly for big corporations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes intrinsic objections to modern biotechnology?

They arise from beliefs about the unnaturalness of altering nature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the implications of terminator gene technology?

Seeds cannot reproduce, requiring new purchases each year Signup and view all the answers

What do ethical concerns surrounding biotechnology in Islam generally include?

Encouragement for research to understand the natural world Signup and view all the answers

What motivates the social function of science according to the concerns raised?

Meet public health needs Signup and view all the answers

Why is consumer freedom to choose foods considered important?

It allows adherence to dietary and cultural beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical perspective is associated with the belief that biotechnology interferes with natural species boundaries?

Religious morality Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main purposes of biosafety in agriculture?

To reduce potential risks from biotechnology Signup and view all the answers

Which committee provides scientific and technical advice to the Minister and NBB in Malaysia?

Genetic Modification Advisory Committee Signup and view all the answers

What does the National Biosafety Board (NBB) primarily monitor?

Modern biotechnology activities Signup and view all the answers

When was the Biosafety Act enforced in Malaysia?

1 December 2009 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the specific risks that biosafety aims to reduce?

Food bacterial contamination Signup and view all the answers

Who is the chairman of the National Biosafety Board in Malaysia?

The secretary-general of the ministry Signup and view all the answers

What is one function of the NBB regarding GMOs?

To approve and notify GMO applications Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a function of the National Biosafety Board?

Facilitate organic farming initiatives Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 8: Ethical Issues and Biosafety

Ethics is a set of principles based on ideas about what is morally good and bad
Bioethics is a field of study concerned with the ethics of certain biological researches, such as medical and biotechnology studies
Basic categories of moral or ethical concerns regarding modern biotechnology fall into two classes: extrinsic and intrinsic concerns

Extrinsic Concerns

Extrinsic objection refers to concerns about the application of biotechnology technologies, such as potential risks of different applications, consumer rights and patenting issues, and consequences on the safety of human, environment and society

Environmental Concerns

GMOs are 'novel' products which have the potential to reduce or change nature's biodiversity or to upset the balance of nature perhaps in unintended ways
Environmentalists are concerned about the possibility of cross-pollination between herbicide or insect-resistant GM crops and wild-type or related species, resulting in unintentional production of super-weeds that are hard to eradicate
A wild plant that has been accidentally pollinated by a GM plant now contains the plant's abilities to resist herbicides or insects may result in a "Super Weed"

Further Concerns

There is also concern on the possibility of horizontal gene transfer of transgenic DNA, which may create new viruses and bacteria that cause diseases
Certain genetic alteration in animal or plant pathogens have led to enhanced virulence and increased resistance to pesticides and antibiotics
The potential of GMOs to harm non-target organisms has been reported
Producers of GMOs claim their products do not harm the environment, but results of risk assessment studies are questioned due to possible vested interests
Little efforts have been spent on independent risk assessment studies
More comprehensive and long-term studies on the impact of GMOs on the environment are needed

Socioeconomics

Concerns about the possibility of market monopolization by big companies threatening the survival of small farms
Increasing commercialization of science which shifts the focus of research from publicly beneficial objectives to more profitable corporate activities
These activities raise ethical concerns about scientific purity, the social function of science, and public trust in scientists

Scientific Uncertainty

Scientists do not fully agree about the potential consequences on ecosystems, health and environment regarding genetic engineering
Several scientists acknowledge the possible risks of GMOs to human health and environment
Deficiencies in scientific risk assessment limit the ability to predict and assess the likely consequences of new technologies

Food Safety and Information

Basic consumer claim concerning GM food is about the rights to know about its safety issues on human health, and the right to choose
The first consumer issue concerns food safety and the right of consumers to have their health protected from possible hazards derived from eating GM food
The second consumer issue concerns the right of consumers to choose foods based on information about the natural or GM character of food products and their composition
This freedom is important because there are food-related religious or cultural beliefs like Halal or Kosher or vegetarianism

Patenting

Patenting GMOs which allows big corporations to have monopoly on genetically modified plants and animals violates the sanctity of life
Critics oppose the fact that seeds are now regarded as proprietary products; leading to farmers being forced to buy new seeds each year, rather than saving seeds from prior harvests

Terminator Gene Technology

The "terminator gene" renders seeds sterile
Farmers are forced to buy new seeds each year; thus protecting intellectual property of the seed manufacturer

Islam

Scientific research is encouraged to understand natural phenomena and the universe, and observe signs of Allah’s glory to find the truth
Consideration of the purpose, and any harmful effects on humans, environment and society
Halal products and source of genes are important

Key Ethical Principles

Rights theory, theories of justice, consequentialism and utilitarianism, precautionary principle, environmental ethics, and religion

Addressing Ethical Issues of Modern Biotechnology

A method to address ethical issues, for example, asking questions such as the harm envisaged, the information available, the options, the guiding ethical principles, and reaching moral closure, can be used

What is the harm envisaged?

Describe potential harm to stakeholders,(that is, persons or entities, including animals and ecosystems); the extent to which stakeholders are harmed; and the distribution of the harm compared to those who benefit

What information do we have?

To make sound judgments, thorough understanding of scientific facts and information is essential; and to distinguish scientific facts from hearsay or opinion and to identify gaps in the information

What are the options?

Identify stakeholders’ objectives; determine the available methods to achieve those objectives; and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative

What ethical principles should guide us?

Since ethical theorists have different opinions, a suggestion is to use at least three most common principles for modern biotechnology. Addtional theories are environmental ethics, religious, and cultural values

How do we reach moral closure?

Evaluate if a decision allows stakeholder participation, compromise solutions, and if stakeholders’ interests are articulated, understood and considered, thus justifying the decision on ethical grounds

Biosafety

Modern biotechnology has the potential to generate benefits for humankind
There are concerns that GMOs may have negative effects on biodiversity and human health
Biosafety refers to the need to protect human health and the environment from the possible adverse effects of the products of modern biotechnology

Goals of Biosafety

Determine when hazards to human health and natural systems will occur; anticipate harmful effects of GMOs or products; discern if GMOs yield benefits as originally designed; and minimize the risks of internationally transported GMOs amongst different ecosystems and nations

Importance of Biosafety in Agriculture

Biosafety can reduce and eliminate the potential risks from modern biotechnology, thus ensuring safety for humans, plants, and animals
Reducing the risk of alien viruses or transgenic genes, genetic engineering, prions such as BSE ("MadCow"), ensuring bacterial food contamination remains minimal

NBB and GMAC in Malaysia

The establishment of the National Biosafety Board (NBB) and Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) enforce the Biosafety Act 2007 enforced December 2009
The secretary-general chairs the NBB; which comprises representatives from various ministries in Malaysia

Functions of NBB

Promote biosafety, encourage R&D and training to related issues, decide on applications and related approvals for release, importation, and exportation; monitor modern biotechnology activities; facilitate data collection, storage, and dissemination; assess risk; and enforce relevant laws

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key ethical principles in biotechnology. This quiz covers the potential harms associated with biotechnological advancements and the moral considerations involved in making sound ethical judgments. Explore stakeholder impacts and the overarching focus of bioethics.