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 Ethics
& Social Issues
Ethics:
Sociological studies have shown intense public scrutiny of
the risks of agricultural biotechnology and genetically modified
foods. Questions related to risks include:
- Is
it unnatural, or playing God, to engage in genetic engineering?
- Will
the perceived benefits and risks of biotechnology foods
be fairly distributed?
- Is
consumer resistance to biotechnology foods in this country
and other countries justifiable?
- Is
the enviornmental impact of the technology acceptable?
- Are
the intellectual property rights of indigenous farmers,
researchers, private companies, and public institutions
adequately protected?
The
objective of the ethics research conducted by the consortium
is to improve public understanding of the ethical issues surrounding
agricultural biotechnology and to clarify the values that
should guide public policy.
Social:
The social research conducted by this consortium will investigate
the perspective of a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the
decisions pertaining to the future acceptance or rejection
of biotechnology. The application of systems approach to the
decision-making process requires that the stakeholders studied
include not only the consumer, but also producers, agricultural
businesses, and input supliers. Scientists, educators, opinion
leaders, policymakers, and others who influence those decisions
also will be studied. This research will involve a four-year
effort to document those perspectives, and to study the decision-making
processes concerning biotechnology. These findings will be
used to educate national and international audiences about
the social concerns regarding biotechnology food products.
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