Chapter 8 Ethical Issues and Biosafety (AGR569)

AGR569 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR PLANTATION CROPS CHAPTER 8 Ethical Issues and Biosafety INTRODUCTION 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 re...

AGR569 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR PLANTATION CROPS CHAPTER 8 Ethical Issues and Biosafety INTRODUCTION 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 Basic categories of moral or ethical concerns regarding modern biotechnology fall into two classes: extrinsic concern intrinsic concern EXTRINSIC CONCERNS Extrinsic objection refers to the concerns regarding the application of the technologies such as the possible risks of different applications of biotechnology consumer’s right and patenting issues 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. the environmentalists are concerned about the possibility of cross- pollination between herbicide or insect- resistant GM crops and wild-type or related species results in unintentional production of super-weeds that are hard to eradicate. Super weeds: A wild plant that has been accidentally pollinated by a GM plant and now contains the plant’s abilities to resit herbicides or insects  There is also concern on the possibility of horizontal gene transfer of transgenic DNA and the potential to create new viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. Certain genetic alteration in animal or plant pathogens have led to enhance virulence and increased resistance to pesticides and antibiotics The potential of GMOs to harm non- target organisms have been reported.  The producers of GMOs claimed that their products did not harm the environment but the fact that the risk assessment studies were carried out by those with vested interests, the results have been questioned The focus of scientists has been on the development of new biotechnology products Little efforts have been spent on independent risk assessment studies other than those carried out by the producers. There is a need for more comprehensive and long term studies on the impact of GMOs on the environment. SOCIOECONOMY Concerns the possibility of market monopolization by big companies and threatening the survival of small farms Increasing commercialization of science would shift the focus of research from publicly beneficial objectives to more profitable corporate activities These raised ethical concerns about scientific purity the social function of science public trusts in scientists SCIENTIFIC UNCERTAINTY Scientists do not agree about the possible consequences of genetic engineering to ecosystems, health and environment while several others have acknowledged the possible risks of GMOs to human health and environment The inadequacies of scientific risk assessment as a means of predicting and assessing the likely consequences of new technologies FOOD SAFETY AND INFORMATION Basic consumer claims concerning GM food are about the rights to: know about the safety issues of GM foods on human health choose The first issue refers to food safety and the right of consumers to have their health protected from possible hazards derived from eating GM food  The second issue is the right of consumers to choose the foods based on the information about the foods offered to them mainly the natural or GM character of food products and their composition so that they can make an informed choice This freedom is important because there are food related religious or cultural belief such as the halal and kosher (Jewish dietary rule) practices, as well as vegetarians PATENTING Some of the issues in patenting of GMOs is that patenting which allows big corporations to have monopoly of genetically modified plants and animals violates the sanctity of life Many critics also oppose the fact that seeds are now regarded as proprietary products with the ‘terminator gene’ technology which renders the seeds sterile, the farmers are forced to buy new seeds each year from multinational companies instead of sowing seeds from previous years’ harvest Terminator gene technology Source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/genetically-engineered-terminator- seeds-death-and-destruction-of-agriculture/5319797 Intrinsic Objection Alleged that the process of modern biotechnology is objectionable in itself This belief is associated with the unnaturalness claim, changing nature and to play ‘God’ They embody values and prescriptions about what is morally right or wrong to do to the natural world/ religious belief and principles The argument is: Nature and all that is natural are valuable and good in itself all forms of biotechnology are unnatural in that they go against and interfere with nature, particularly in the crossing of natural species boundaries’ In some cases the general moral concerns include a religious dimension when they are accompanied by an underlying set of religious beliefs and principles concerning the relationships between God, nature and human beings  In Islam for example, scientific research is encouraged in order to understand natural phenomenon and the universe, and to observe the signs of Allah’s glory and ultimately to find the truth. However, it is important to consider fully the purpose and any harmful effect towards human, environment and society and must be in line with the rules of Shari’ah. Issues of halal products and sources of genes are also important for the Muslims and the second issue, for the vegetarians too. KEY ETHICAL PRINCIPLES Rights theory Theories of justice Consequentialism and utilitarianism Precautionary principle Environmental ethics Religion ADDRESSING ETHICAL ISSUES OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY A method for addressing ethical issues related to modern biotechnology as recommended by Comstock (2000) with several modifications is suitable for use in Malaysia. He suggested working methodically through a series of questions: What is the harm envisaged? What information do we have? What are the options? What ethical principles should guide us? How do we reach moral closure? WHAT IS THE HARM ENVISAGED? Describe briefly (a) the harm or potential harm (b) who are the stakeholders, that is, all of the persons and non-persons (animals, ecosystems, other nonhuman entities) who may be harmed (c) the extent to which these stakeholders will be harmed (d) the distribution of harms (are those at risk of being harmed the same or different from those who may benefit?) WHAT INFORMATION DO WE HAVE? Sound ethical judgments go hand-in- hand with thorough understanding of the scientific facts In a given case, we may need to ask: (a) Is the scientific information about harm being presented reliable, or is it fact, hearsay, or opinion? (b) What information we do not know that we should know before making the decision? WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? In assessing the various courses of action, emphasize creative problem- solving, seeking to find win-win alternatives in which everyone’s interests are protected Here we must identify a. what objectives each stakeholder wants to obtain b. how many methods are available by which to achieve those objectives c. what are the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative  In case of conflict between several options, the option which presents an ethical value (such as trustworthiness, respectful, responsible, fair, caring, civic virtue) is chosen compared to non- ethical values (such as money, power) For example company Pioneer Hi-Breed has chosen an ethical option by withdrawing its products, GM peanuts (which contain a gene from Brazil nut) which has been found to be allergenic despite having invested much money on the development of the GM peanuts WHAT ETHICAL PRINCIPLES SHOULD GUIDE US? Since ethical theorists are divided about which theory is the best, and each principle has its own strengths and weaknesses, There is a suggestion to use at least three most common principles relevant to modern biotechnology, one by one. However, the use of additional theories/ principles such as environmental ethics should also be taken into consideration The religious or spiritual aspects and cultural values of people need to be seriously considered especially in multi-ethnic and multi-religion country such as Malaysia HOW DO WE REACH MORAL CLOSURE? Does the decision we have reached allows all stakeholders either to participate in the decision or to have their views represented? If a compromise solution is deemed necessary in order to manage otherwise intractable differences, has the compromise been reached in ways that has allowed all interested parties to have their interests articulated, understood, and considered? If so, then the decision is justifiable on ethical grounds. BIOSAFETY  Modern biotechnology has the potential to generate benefits for humankind and contribute to sustainable development Nevertheless, there are concerns that GMO 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 To determine in advance when hazards to human health and natural systems will occur if any particular GMO is released into the environment. To anticipate when a GMO or any of its products will be harmful if consumed To discern whether GMO actually will yield the benefits it was designed to provide To make as certain as possible that hazards will not occur when GMOs are transported intentionally or internationally, among different ecosystems and nations. IMPORTANCE OF BIOSAFETY IN AGRICULTURE Biosafety can reduce and eliminate the potential risks resulting from modern biotechnology and its products so that it is safe for human, plant and animal health and the environment. Reducing the risk of alien viral or transgenic genes, genetic engineering or prions such as BSE/ “MadCow", reducing the risk of food bacterial contamination.  NBB AND GMAC IN MALAYSIA Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas announced the establishment of The National Biosafety Board (NBB) and Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) under the Biosafety Act 2007. The Biosafety Act 2007 was enforced on 1 December 2009. The secretary-general of the ministry is the chairman of the NBB which comprises of representatives from Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Plantation, Industry and Commodities, Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism. In addition, there are also three members who have relevant expertise and experience.  Functions of NBB Promotes biosafety R&D, development, educational and training activities related to biosafety Decides on all applications – approvals and notification; release, importation, exportation, contained Monitor modern biotechnology activities Facilitate the collection, storage and dissemination of data relating GMO Assess risk posed by GMO/products Enforce the law National Biosafety Board (NBB) Malaysia https://www.biosafety.gov.my/en/info-korporat/pengenalan/latar- belakang/  GMAC GMAC provides scientific and technical advice to the Minister and NBB, and was previously chaired by Dr. Ahmad Parveez, who is a principal research officer at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. GMAC consists of experts from various science-based disciplines and relevant disciplines from government agencies, research institutes, private sectors and non- governmental organizations. Member of the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) https://www.biosafety.gov.my/en/info-korporat/struktur-orga nisasi/tadbir-urus-biokeselamatan/ahli-jawatankuasa-penasi hat-pengubahsuaian-genetik-gmac/