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Biotechnology, ethics, and the structure of agriculture

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  • Jeffrey Burkhardt

Abstract

The “new” agricultural biotechnologies are presently high-priority items on the national research agenda. The promise of increased efficiency and productivity resulting from products and processes derived from biotech is thought to justify the commitment to R&D. Nevertheless, critics challenge the environmental safety as well as political-economic consequences of particular products of biotech, notably, ice-nucleating bacteria and the bovine growth hormone. In this paper the critics' arguments are analyzed in explicitly ethical terms, and assessed as to their relative merits. In some cases, a principle of “do no foreseeable harm” as well as a clear determination of likely harms would force us to conclude that research, development, and diffusion of a product or process derived from biotechnology is ethically wrong. In all cases, one conclusion that can be reached is that everyone involved in research, development, marketing and adoption of biotech products is responsible for the results of their actions; thus, each individual has a responsibility to consider a broader range of values and goals that effect and are effected by the biotechnology effort. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1988

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey Burkhardt, 1988. "Biotechnology, ethics, and the structure of agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 5(3), pages 53-60, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:5:y:1988:i:3:p:53-60
    DOI: 10.1007/BF02217659
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Lesney & V. Smocovitis, 1994. "Assessing the Human Genome Project: Effects on world agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 11(1), pages 10-18, December.
    2. Donald Vietor & Harry Cralle, 1992. "Value-laden knowledge and holistic thinking in agricultural research," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 9(3), pages 44-57, June.
    3. Douglas H. Constance, 2023. "The doctors of agrifood studies," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(1), pages 31-43, March.

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