Social & Ethical Issues in Genetic EngineeringRibhu VashishthaP301111FMG009NU-MBA 2011-13

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.

History• The direct transfer of DNA from one organism to another

was first accomplished by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973.

• The first genetically engineered plant was tobacco, reported in 1983 by Michael Bevan, Richard B. Flavell and Mary-Dell Chilton. Through tissue culture techniques a single tobacco cell was selected that contained the gene and a new plant grown from it.

• In 1976 Genentech, the first genetic engineering company was founded by Herbert Boyer and Robert Swanson.

• The first field trials of genetically engineered plants occurred in France and the USA in 1986, tobacco plants were engineered to be resistant to herbicides.

Applications1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

2. Cloning

Applications1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

2. Cloning

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Change or modify plants and even animals in ways that would make them better from a human standpoint.

• Transferring DNA

Controversial Issues

Plant BacteriumAnimal

Plant Species

Issues

• Labeling• Control over Technology• Eagerness for Production

Is It Ethical

Three principles to evaluate :

1. General Welfare2. Maintaining peoples’ rights3. Justice

Think

1. Technology pose risk ?2. Implication on rights of consumers3. Implication on rights of scientists

Applications

1. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

2. Cloning

Cloning

The production of genetically identical organisms via somatic cell nuclear transfer.

• Started in Feb 1997• Ian Wilmut and his colleagues at

Roslin Institute in Scotland were able to clone a lamb

Examples:

Benefits• Renew activity of damaged cells• Act as Organ donors• Infertile parents

Issues

• Experimentation on humans

• Diminished sense of identity and individuality

Reasons why ethics are associated with Genetic Engineering

• Privacy issues and fair use of genetic information.• Social implications and the ability of patients to

give informed consent to increasingly complex and controversial procedures.

• Foundational principles of human dignity and the common good.

• The integration of genetic technologies into the clinical setting.

• Genetic research is commercially driven to a very substantial degree.

Thank You