Ethics in Biotechnology
Purpose: This handout may serve as a learning tool for learning about ethics in biotechnology,
notes, used as a read aloud experience, or utilized as a remedial tool for students struggling with
science content literary.
Biotechnology for some is a controversial, hot topic issue while for others it is the way
to solve the world’s issues. Biotechnology refers to genetic engineering which entails
manipulating DNA and using DNA for practical purposes that are seemingly unnatural in nature.
Forms of biotechnology include gene testing, gene therapy, using stem cells and manipulating
stem cells for disease treatment, reproductive and therapeutic cloning, creation of genetically
modified organisms, and in vitro fertilization. Biotechnology has helped scientists diagnose and
treat genetic diseases, create cleaner environments, create food for those who live in areas in
which food is scarce, and assist couples in having children who under natural conditions would
not be able. With all the benefits that biotechnology provides there are also drawbacks. In
addition many people question, how far is too far when it comes to the endless possibilities
involved in using gene manipulation to solve the world’s problems?
Treatment of genetic disorders has been around for decades. In the late 1960s,
scientists were performing blood transfusions for patients with blood disorders. In a bone
marrow transfusion, a healthy person’s stem cells found in bone marrow are injected into a
person with a blood disorder. The new bone marrow stem cells will differentiate into healthy
functioning blood cells. Today stem cell research is proving how a variety of diseases can be
treated using stem cells. In addition, scientists are learning how to stimulate stem cells to grow
into various tissues and organs for people in need of transplants. While adult stem cells have
been very successful in treating diseases, embryonic stem cells are still being utilized in research
because these cells have the potential to become any cell type; whereas, the fate of adult stem
cells has already been determined. The disadvantage for using embryonic stem cells is that the
embryo which is a developing baby is destroyed. Is it right to destroy a life to save another life?
When does life actually begin? Much success in disease treatment today stems from the ability
to test DNA for genetic mutations.
In 2003, scientists completed the Human Genome Project in which a person’s entire
genome was mapped out and sequenced. Since the completion of this project, many organisms’
genomes have been mapped and sequenced including other humans. Scientists have been able
to identify the locations of certain traits including mutations causing various genetic disorders.
Even people who are carriers of genetic disorders, but do not know it can find out if a genetic
mutation exists in their genome. Gene testing has its advantages such as helping parents decide
if they want to have a child or not, helping parents who have already conceived prepare for any
genetic diseases that may exist with a child, and even screen embryos in the lab before they are
developed. Gene testing has also helped people find out how susceptible they are in getting
certain types of cancer such as breast cancer. With this knowledge people are able to take
precautions to help prevent the disease from occurring. Disadvantages for genetic testing can
include unnecessary or unwanted stress for the effects of a genetic disorder. In addition,
knowing about a genetic disorder that manifest itself later in life may lead to genetic
discrimination in the workplace, in social groups, and even when it comes to getting health
insurance. In addition to gene testing, locating the specific locations of genes has allowed
scientists to continue their research with gene therapy. The first successful attempt with gene
therapy occurred in 1990 with a child who had a blood disorder. The child’s cells were isolated,
inserted with the correctly functioning gene, and then reintroduced to the body. Trials with
gene therapy are still occurring today. Therapeutic cloning of human genes in other organisms
is also becoming more and more popular. Human genes are being produced in bacteria, plants,
and animals for the treatment of diseases from diabetes to cancer.
In addition to treating diseases, genetically modified organisms or transgenic organisms
are being made for other reasons including increasing crops yields and creating organisms more
suitable for diverse habitats. With an increasing human population, more food is needed to
support the number of people on Earth. Inserting genes into plants that make them resistant to
pests, live longer, and grow bigger are a few of the answers that have been implemented to
solve this continuing problem. In addition, animals are being modified so they can live in
environments in which they are not native, live longer, and even grow bigger. Another solution
to this problem is reproductive cloning. Organisms that do not naturally reproduce asexually
can be artificially cloned using a surrogate to grow and develop in. This is useful for creating a
copy of an organism that has desirable traits. An organism that is going to be cloned has their
DNA extracted from a somatic cell and inserted into an egg cell whose nucleus has been striped
clean of its DNA. The process is not 100% effective as scientists are still working with reverting
somatic cell DNA back to its undifferentiated state. There have been many successful trials in
which genetic clones have been made that are just as strong as the organism in which it came
from. Some genetic clones do not survive long due to health problems stemming back to
problems in DNA expression from a somatic cell. Laws governing reproductive cloning have not
allowed scientists to clone a human currently although human embryonic cells have been
artificially made for research purposes only.
The role of biotechnology in assisting with human reproduction specifically is in the area
of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This technology allows egg and sperm to be artificially fertilized in
the lab and cultivated for the production of healthy embryos. Scientists select embryos to be
implanted into a female for development. This technology has allowed many couples to have
children who under natural circumstances are unable. The procedure is very costly, sometimes
does not work, and sometimes results in the birth of multiples. The screening of embryos for
chromosomal abnormalities is increasing the success rate for the implantation of embryos.
Parents who opt for in vitro fertilization to have a child also have to deal with the decision on
what to do with the used embryos that are created in case the implantation procedure does not
work.
Weighing out the positive and negative effects of biotechnology can be difficult. Yes,
there are many steps that have occurred in the past 50 years that are having positive effects on
society. At the same time, some question where the line should be drawn. Is human cloning
coming? Are designer babies a possibility for our future? Are we going to bring back extinct
organisms? Many of the skeptics of biotechnology have reasons surrounding their personal
beliefs about altering the natural tendency of things while others question if humans are moving
too fast to see what the long-term effects will be of these various technologies. Regardless of
one’s own opinion, biotechnology is here, it has been here, and further advancement is coming.
Laws regarding biotechnology are in effect, are up for debate, and are constantly changing as
scientists continue to learn and expand their knowledge.
Questions
1. What is biotechnology?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages for using stem cells to treat
diseases?
3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages in gene testing?
4. What is gene therapy?
5. How are genetically modified organisms being used to benefit society?
6. What is the purpose of cloning organisms that do not typically reproduce
asexually?
7. Why does reproductive cloning not always work?
8. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages for in vitro fertilization?
9. Why is biotechnology considered to some a controversial issue? Do you have
any strong feelings in particular about one or more of the topics discussed in this
document? If so, what are your feelings?
10. Write a list of any questions that you have that are still not clear or would like to
know more about.