Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Nature, Science and Moral Autonomy
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified foods (GM foods) have become a highly contested topic in public debate. The controversies are the result of differing views from scientists, philosophers, economists, and even politicians concerning the products of “new biotechnology” in particular with regard to recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. rDNA technology has allowed scientists to move genes across species’ boundaries, to create traits in plants, animals, and microorganisms that could never be accomplished in our lifetime and even using traditional crossbreeding techniques. For example, specific genes from cold-water fish are inserted into tomato plants to allow them to be more tolerant to colder weather. The reality of transgenic technology has caused some people to raise questions about the nature and consequences of GMOs. How do GM foods differ from non-GM foods? Are these differences significant as to how they will they affect human health or the environment? How strictly are GMOs being tested? Who oversees the regulation and registration process? These are scientific and legal-political issues are just the tip of the iceberg with the amount of contention regarding GMOs and their purpose. As important as these issues are in the GMO food debate, other controversies have arisen particularly in regard to the ethics of GMOs. Humans vastly differ in their judgments about whether producing, supplying and using GMOs foods are a morally correct thing to do. Are these new biotechnologies and by extension GMO foods morally and ethically acceptable? If they are ethically acceptable, then there is nothing wrong about producing, supplying, and even choosing to consume them. If they are not ethically acceptable, those humans should stop producing them and should be able to avoid them. Clearly, some people think GMOs foods are ethically acceptable, while others do not. The
Nature, Science and Moral Autonomy
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified foods (GM foods) have become a highly contested topic in public debate. The controversies are the result of differing views from scientists, philosophers, economists, and even politicians concerning the products of “new biotechnology” in particular with regard to recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. rDNA technology has allowed scientists to move genes across species’ boundaries, to create traits in plants, animals, and microorganisms that could never be accomplished in our lifetime and even using traditional crossbreeding techniques. For example, specific genes from cold-water fish are inserted into tomato plants to allow them to be more tolerant to colder weather. The reality of transgenic technology has caused some people to raise questions about the nature and consequences of GMOs. How do GM foods differ from non-GM foods? Are these differences significant as to how they will they affect human health or the environment? How strictly are GMOs being tested? Who oversees the regulation and registration process? These are scientific and legal-political issues are just the tip of the iceberg with the amount of contention regarding GMOs and their purpose. As important as these issues are in the GMO food debate, other controversies have arisen particularly in regard to the ethics of GMOs. Humans vastly differ in their judgments about whether producing, supplying and using GMOs foods are a morally correct thing to do. Are these new biotechnologies and by extension GMO foods morally and ethically acceptable? If they are ethically acceptable, then there is nothing wrong about producing, supplying, and even choosing to consume them. If they are not ethically acceptable, those humans should stop producing them and should be able to avoid them. Clearly, some people think GMOs foods are ethically acceptable, while others do not. The
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