the ethics of agricultural biotech: lessons for nanotech? jeffrey burkhardt ethics & policy...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Ethics of Agricultural Biotech: Lessons for Nanotech?
Jeffrey Burkhardt
Ethics & Policy Program
Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
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Why AgBiotech Ethics?
• Nature of the technology
• Use of the technology has consequences
• People have different values & priorities
• Conflicts & arguments
Ethics explains/critiques arguments
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Arenas of Ethical Discourse/Debate
• Intrinsic arguments
• Consequentialist arguments
• Rights/consent arguments
• Structural/ Procedural arguments
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Intrinsic Arguments
Biotech is unethical because of what it is
• Biotechnology is “playing God”– Interfering in God’s design is wrong
• Biotechnology is unnatural – Crossing species boundaries is
wrong
– Creating life-forms nature could not have made is wrong
Counter: Biotech is no different than plant breeding, etc.
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Consequentialist Arguments
Biotech is unethical because of its effects
Human Health:
• Risks to human health – chronic problems, acute allergic reactions, synergistic interactions
• We owe it to people not to harm them or place them at risk
Counter: Biotech is safe• The benefits outweigh any risks
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Consequentialist Arguments
Biotech is unethical because of its effects
Environmental:
• Risks to species, ecosystems, potential damage to agriculture itself
• We owe future generations (or nature itself) to not place ecosystems at risk
Counter: Biotech is better than alternatives
• The benefits outweigh the risks
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Consequentialist Arguments
Biotech is unethical because of its effectsSocial:• Threatens small farms, developing nations• Harming small farms and indigenous
agricultural systems is unfair
Counter: Biotech is better than alternatives• Benefits outweigh the harms• New technology leads to “structural
adjustments”
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Rights/Consent Arguments
Biotech food violates people’s rights• Biotech (GM) foods have been “smuggled”
into the food system• Some people object to GM foods• People have a right to choose what they
eat• We must respect people’s rights
Counter: Biotech food is safe• It is “unreasonable” to object to GM foods
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Structural/Procedural Arguments
BIO: The SYSTEM of R&D, tech transfer, intellectual property, etc. is unethical
• BIO is global and growing in power
• BIO is an increasingly concentrated enterprise (monopolized)
• BIO has co-opted public sector research
• BIO is out of democratic control
Counter: The SYSTEM is working
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Current Structure of AgBiotech
Concentration of World Ag Inputs Market
• 10 multinationals control 85% ag chemicals
• 10 multinationals control 40% commercial seed industry
• 4 multinationals control 80% of world grain trade
• Same companies are in seed/chemicals and biotechnology
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AgBiotech Patents
Figure 1.AgBiotechnology Patent Ownership -- 2003
DuPont13%
Syngenta7%
Bayer4%Other
Private33%
Unknown2%
Public24%
Monsanto14%
Dow3%
Source: Graff et al., 2003
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Control of Global Maize Market
Figure 2Global Maize Seed Market Share -- 2002
DuPont27%
KWS3%
Dow5%
Syngenta7%
Limagrain3%
Monsanto38%
Advanta3%
Other14%
Source: ETC Group, 2005
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What Have We Learned?
• Ongoing debates have not been resolved
• Debates are not resolved via “facts”
• Reasoned ethical critique has been met with sloganeering and PR campaigns
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Example of BIO’s response to ethical arguments
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Example of BIO’s
response
to ethical
arguments
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What Have We Learned?
• BIO has been unwilling to engage in systematic self-critique
• Government is unwilling to engage in ethical examination beyond “risk-benefit” analysis
• Technology marches on unfettered by a priori considerations of
right & wrong
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What Have We Not Learned?
How to internalize and institutionalize discussion of ethical issues and concerns before
• Inventions are disclosed
• Products are patented
• Products are licensed for commercialization
• Technology is adopted
• Consequences (good and bad) become apparent