Biocentric Ethics Analysis
Biocentric Ethics Analysis
SCI/362 - Environmental Issues and Ethics
January 27, 2014
Howard Schmidt, M.S., M.B.A.
Biocentric Ethics Analysis
Inherent and intrinsic value both refer to the value that is within the item or organism, it has value in and of itself; the value within the item or organism is “independent of the interests, needs, or uses of anyone else” (DesJardins, 2013, p. 113). Inherent value refers to the value that is found or recognized within the item or organism; whether spiritual, moral, aesthetic, symbolic, or it is of cultural importance. An organism or an item that has inherent or intrinsic value offers something of value other than as an instrument; for example, relationships with friends and family, the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States has inherent value for its great strength, majestic beauty, and long life. Within each item or organism the value stems from when it means or stands for, as opposed to what it is not or how it is used. Life itself, whether a microscopic organism, animal, insect, or plant all have inherent and intrinsic value; simply because it exists. Scientists have tampered been tampering with the basic genetics of food for many years, cross-breeding, taking the most desirable of traits and merging them together, creating a new flavor or breed; for example, the Gala apple is a combination of the Golden Delicious apple and the Kid’s Orange-Red apple. This combining of traits has traditionally been used to combine same species; however, with the advances in biotechnology, scientists are able to engineer different species so that they can share the same genetic material. The process of sharing the same genetic material within different organisms creates a “genetically modified organism” or GMO; this is commonly done within the food industry, creating seeds and plants that are resistant to pesticides, certain insects, and enable to plant to grow in unfavorable conditions.
Currently,
SCI/362 - Environmental Issues and Ethics
January 27, 2014
Howard Schmidt, M.S., M.B.A.
Biocentric Ethics Analysis
Inherent and intrinsic value both refer to the value that is within the item or organism, it has value in and of itself; the value within the item or organism is “independent of the interests, needs, or uses of anyone else” (DesJardins, 2013, p. 113). Inherent value refers to the value that is found or recognized within the item or organism; whether spiritual, moral, aesthetic, symbolic, or it is of cultural importance. An organism or an item that has inherent or intrinsic value offers something of value other than as an instrument; for example, relationships with friends and family, the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States has inherent value for its great strength, majestic beauty, and long life. Within each item or organism the value stems from when it means or stands for, as opposed to what it is not or how it is used. Life itself, whether a microscopic organism, animal, insect, or plant all have inherent and intrinsic value; simply because it exists. Scientists have tampered been tampering with the basic genetics of food for many years, cross-breeding, taking the most desirable of traits and merging them together, creating a new flavor or breed; for example, the Gala apple is a combination of the Golden Delicious apple and the Kid’s Orange-Red apple. This combining of traits has traditionally been used to combine same species; however, with the advances in biotechnology, scientists are able to engineer different species so that they can share the same genetic material. The process of sharing the same genetic material within different organisms creates a “genetically modified organism” or GMO; this is commonly done within the food industry, creating seeds and plants that are resistant to pesticides, certain insects, and enable to plant to grow in unfavorable conditions.
Currently,
References: DesJardins, J. R. (2013). Environmental ethics: An introduction to environmental philosophy (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods. (2002). Trends in Biotechnology, 120(5), 215. Kantor, K. (2013). GMO 's - Pros and Cons. Retrieved from http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-957532 Witcombe, J., & Sanchez, J. (2004). Food systems and security helping the poor cope. Retrieved from http://www.id21.org/health/InsightsHealth5art3.html