Ethics in Biotechnology

Angela CopelandMartin ProctorKelly Van der Sande

Leadership and EthicsProfessor Kent Rhodes

July 27, 2005MBAM 685.13

Ethics in Biotechnology• Some Hot Topics

- Gene Therapy- Genetically Modified Food

• Stem Cell Research- Dilemma- Introduction to Stem Cells- Global Stem Cell Views- Religious Issues- Hosmers Model

Some Hot Topics: Gene Therapy

• 2,800 Genetic Disorders:

- Huntington, cystis fibrosis, hemophilia

• 2 Types Gene Therapy:

- Somatic gene therapy

- Germline gene therapy

Some Hot Topics: Gene Therapy

Some Hot Topics: Gene Therapy

• Legislation:

- FDA : No approved products at this moment

- EU : Regulatory directives, national interpretation

• Ethical Considerations:

- Playing God ? Perfecting Genes ?

- Somatic vs. Germline gene therapy

- Money, Money, Money !

- Racism, Eugenics

• “food product containing some quantity of any genetically

modified organism (GMO) as an ingredient”

• Direct & Indirect Benefits

• ‘Golden Rice’ , Flavr Savr ™ Tomato

Some Hot Topics: Genetically Modified Food

Some Hot Topics: Genetically Modified Food

• Legislation:

- FDA : Voluntary Consultation

- EU : Some blanket bans, national interpretation

• Ethical Considerations:

- Unnatural ? Dangerous for humans & environment

- Industrialization, Corporate Control

- Interfering with Nature ?

- Animal genes in plants & vice versa

Ethics in Biotechnology• Some Hot Topics

- Gene Therapy- Genetically Modified Food

• Stem Cell Research- Dilemma- Introduction to Stem Cells- Global Stem Cell Views- Religious Issues- Hosmers Model

Stem Cell Research: Dilemma

• Biotechnology: Stem Cells• Dilemma:

– Protecting the unborn child– Vs.– Cure diseases and save many lives

Stem Cell Research: Introduction to Stem Cells

• Embryonic Stem Cells– Transforms into any type of cell– In a Petri dish

• Umbilical Cord (“Child”) Stem Cells– From placenta / umbilical cord– “Stem Cell Bank”

• Adult Stem Cells– More specialized stem cells– Difficult to locate, slower

growth rate, higher rejection rate

Stem Cell Research: Global Stem Cell views

• US: Various levels of allowance

• UK: Specific uses allowed

• Countries that provide gov’t funding for research: US, UK, South Korea, China, Australia, Israel, Singapore, Argentina, Uruguay, Sweden

• Countries that allow research without government funding: Switzerland, Finland, Greece, Brazil, Netherlands

• Legal set up = major religion• Cathololic Church

– NO WAY UNDER ANY SITUATION

– The soul is one with the body

• Anglican Church– Yes up till 14 days or split

– Not an individual till that moment

Stem Cell Research: Religious Issues

• Islam– Not ensoled untill 40/120 days

– Embryos not in their own environment – will die

– A duty to try and save life

• Judaism– Religious law should protect life

– Embryo will die so use it, can break commandments in order to save life

Stem Cell Research: Religious Issues

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Benefits ?

- Patients

- Governments

- Pharmaceutical companies

- Research

• Harmed ?

- Fetus

- Other Projects

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Rights fully exercised ?

- Patients

- Scientists

- Doctors

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Rights denied ?

- Religious Groups

- None Religious Pro-Life Groups

- Fetus

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

Ethical Problem ?

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Economic Outcomes ?

- Healthcare savings

- Less money for other projects?

- For whom?

- Re-enter workforce

- Greying population

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Legal Requirements ?- Research (42 countries)

- U.K. (cloning embryos)

- Medical Research (U.K., Belgium, Singapore & Japan)

- Future considerations!

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Ethical Duties ?

- Relieve suffering of patients

- Education

- Funding medical research

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

• Team Consensus ?- Not a human being (14 days)

- Education

- Increase funding medical research

- Legal framework

- Wide availabillity

- Stem cell bank Personal bank

Stem Cell Research: Hosmer’s Model

Ethics in Biotechnology

Angela CopelandMartin ProctorKelly Van der Sande

Leadership and EthicsProfessor Kent Rhodes

July 27, 2005MBAM 685.13