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2 Think about… 3.1 What is bioethics? 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology Recall ‘Think about…’ Summary concept map

3 Following the successful cloning of Dolly the sheep and other mammals, humans could possibly be cloned.

4 This has started a debate about whether it is right or wrong to clone a whole person. There are different views on this issue.

5 Why do people disagree on cloning a whole person 1 What factors affect their views on it

6 Do you support the cloning of a whole person 2 Why

7 3.1 What is bioethics? Bioethics ( 生物倫理學 ) is the study of ethical issues and implications brought about by the advances in the areas of biological science and medicine.

8 Human cloning is a new form of human reproduction. It enables infertile couples like us to have children. In favour human cloning 3.1 What is bioethics?

9 Our son died in an accident. A clone of our son may make up for our loss. In favour human cloning 3.1 What is bioethics?

10 It is irresponsible to clone humans when animal cloning has such a low success rate. Against human cloning 3.1 What is bioethics?

11 A clone is neither the child nor the brother/sister of the nucleus donor. The identity of the clone is unclear. Against human cloning 3.1 What is bioethics?

What is bioethics? values ( 價值觀 ) guide the way people make their decisions values are affected by religion, culture and past experiences, etc. one thing that benefits some people may not be beneficial to others

13 and brought Bioethics is the study of ethical about by the advances in the areas of biological science and medicine. implications issues 3.1 What is bioethics?

Some issues in biotechnology legal issues ethical issues economic issues social issues environmental issues

15 Genetically modified food any food or food ingredient that comes from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology GM tomatoes with longer shelf life

16 Genetically modified food long-term effects on human health? 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology 1 Safety issues new genes or their products cause allergies? transferral of antibiotic resistance genes produces ‘superbugs’?

17 Genetically modified food is it playing God? 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology 2 Ethical issues should vegetarians eat GM plants that contain animal genes?

18 Genetically modified food increases the dependence of food supply on developed countries and affects the living of farmers in developing countries 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology 3 Social and economic issues

19 Genetically modified food GMOs may replace the wild types, reduce biodiversity, or upset the ecological balance 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology 4 Environmental issues produces ‘superweeds’ speeds up the evolution of resistant population of pests

20 In 1994, genetically modified tomatoes hit the market in the US as the first commercially available genetically modified crop. GM tomatoes have since disappeared. Tomatoes were the first genetically modified foods to come on the market. Today, they are no longer cultivated. Puree made from GM tomatoes was once a success in Great Britain. The EU Member States, however, could not agree on approval.

21 Cloning lack of genetic variations 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology

Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology low success rate 1 Ethical issues  death of embryos justified? day of pregnancy % survival implantation

23 Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology worth investing the money? 2 Economic issues

24 Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology clones of endangered animals will still have no place to live 3 Environmental issues  spend money on habitat conservation instead?

25 Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology Human reproductive cloning clones are ‘unnatural’ ‘sub-humans’? relation of the clone with the nucleus donor and the donor’s family? could the clone experience his/her own life? cloning lowers the value of life?

26 Risk of abuse Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology Human reproductive cloning what happens if rich people use the technology to produce servants?

27 Risk of abuse Cloning 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology Human reproductive cloning what happens if Adolf Hitler clones himself? what happens if someone allows only the ‘best’ people to be cloned?

Some issues in biotechnology I’m sorry. There is no cure for the disease. Oh no. Human Genome Project diagnosis of a genetic disease before available treatment causes anxiety? 1 Ethical issues

29 Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology who can own or gain access to personal genetic information? 2 Legal issues

30 Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology how can we prevent discrimination against people with particular genotypes and misuse of genetic information? 2 Legal issues This man has a high risk of developing a fatal genetic disease.

31 Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology how can we prevent discrimination against people with particular genotypes and misuse of genetic information? 2 Legal issues We’d better refuse his insurance application.

32 Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology can the presence of a certain gene be used as evidence to prove someone guilty or innocent? 2 Legal issues My client didn’t do it. His gene did it.

33 Go! He has a gene related to violence. Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology how is the public perception of an individual affected by his/her genetic information? 3 Social issues

34 Human Genome Project 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology can the same benefits be obtained from less expensive alternatives? 4 Economic issues

35 May I change my eye colour using gene therapy? 3.2 Some issues in biotechnology Gene therapy when should gene therapy be used? 1 Ethical issues acceptable for genetic enhancement?

Some issues in biotechnology Gene therapy 1 Ethical issues when should gene therapy be used? acceptable for genetic enhancement? is it playing God? causes unforeseeable harmful effects on future generations?

Some issues in biotechnology Gene therapy how can we obtain informed consent from seriously ill patients or embryos? 2 Legal issues how can we prevent misuse of gene therapy to produce a ‘perfect’ human race?

Some issues in biotechnology Gene therapy widens the social class gap? 3 Social issues any alternatives? right to invest a large sum of money for the benefit of a few patients? 4 Economic issues

39 Ethical issues of gene therapy Is it right to replace a 'defective' gene with a 'normal' one? Is the answer the same for a gene which causes the bearer pain, as it is where the gene has a merely cosmetic effect? Who decides what is 'defective' and what is 'normal'? A 'defective' gene may actually confer some other advantage, e.g. sickled RBC gene. Is there a danger that we shall in time reduce the variety so essential to evolution, by the progressive removal of unwanted genes or, by combining genes from different species, are we actually increasing variety and favouring evolution? Where a gene probe detects a fatal abnormality, what criteria, if any, should be applied before deciding whether to carry out an abortion?

Some issues in biotechnology Stem cell therapy human embryos are destroyed to obtain embryonic stem cells 1 Ethical issues  murder? N.B. recent scientific advances may allow production of ES cells without destroying embryos

Some issues in biotechnology Stem cell therapy how can we ensure that the technique would not be used in human reproductive cloning? 2 Legal issues the public become used to the destruction of human life? 3 Social issues

42 Why do people disagree on cloning a whole person? What factors affect their views on it? 1 Values guide the way people make their decision. Values are affected by religion, culture and past experiences, etc.

43 Why do people disagree on cloning a whole person? What factors affect their views on it? 1 In addition, one thing that benefits some people may not be beneficial to others. Thus, people may disagree on cloning a whole person.

44 Do you support the cloning of a whole person? Why? 2 Answers vary with students.

45 study of ethical issues and implications brought about by the advances in the areas of Bioethics biological science and medicine includes biotechnology

46 raises biotechnology ethical issues legal issues social issues economic issues environmental issues