UNIT FIVE

ETHICAL, LEGAL, SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO GENE BIOTECHNOLOGY The ethical issues behind the creation of genetically engineered organisms: The problem. Ethical issues. Social issues. Legal issues. Environmental issues. Health and safety issues. Precautionary measures.

The Problem
The biotechnology revolution is uncontrolled. No one supervises it. There is no coherent government policy in America or anywhere else in the world. No federal laws regulate it. Genetic research continues at a more furious pace than ever. But it is done in secret, and in haste, and for profit. - Michael Crichton
(Author of Jurassic Park in introduction to the book.)

 Genetic engineering technology is to move genes back and forth, not only across species lines, but across any boundaries that divide living organisms The results will be essentially new organisms, self perpetuating and hence permanent. Once created, they cannot be recalled.
George Wald. Nobel Laureate.

 Technological innovations and scientific change do not merely bring benefits. They also carry social, ecological and economic costs. We are already confronted with a huge environmental and social impact of nuclear and petrochemical revolution. Our mistakes in not anticipating the risks of these revolutions should not be repeated when we are being pushed into the biotechnology revolution.

The various areas for which different genetic techniques are useful as tools 1. Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders.
2. Improved vaccines for better health. 3. Gene therapy, enzyme therapy, hormone therapy to combat diseases and genetic disorders. 4. Ample food. 5. Improved farm animals and their products. 6. Improved plants, higher agricultural yields. 7. Production of biopharmaceuticals in cells of choice. 8. Chemical production by genetically engineered microorganisms. 9. Criminal investigations. 10. Pollution control. 11. Applications in research in embryology, developmental biology, differentiation, growth. 12. Understanding of structure function relationship for various genes the heredity elements. 13. Human genome study.

We are hoping for and, off course, working for Safe Biotechnology. Emphasis will not only be on how to promote research and development to reap beneficial applications of the techniques and products but also to safeguard health and environment. Although the techniques are too powerful and negative impacts are natural side effects, we can not afford to be ignorant about ethical, social, legal, environmental and health impacts of this technology.

Ethical Issues
-> Its use in reproduction and genetic screening brings unique questions of discrimination, exploitation of women. -> Patenting genetically engineered animal is equating it to status of manufactured product. -> Will living things have no more intrinsic value than automobiles or garments or any other commodity? -> The failure to label genetically engineered foods means that persons who follow religious dietary restrictions will be unable to ensure compliance with their beliefs. The genes from prohibited foods could be engineered into other foods. Vegetarians may be forced to take food containing genetic material from insects, fish, pigs or other animal. -> Religious and ethical beliefs will be greatly disturbed.

 70% of the public feel that, introducing animal genes into plants is unacceptable. 90% of the public feel that human genes should not be introduced into animals. 98% people want genetically engineered (bovine growth hormone) bGH-milk labelled, so that they can avoid it. Should we become architects of life itself? Should biotechnology be allowed to play God? Crossing the species boundaries in genetic exchanges which has resulted into inserting animal genes into human or human genes into animals.

Social Issues - (Socio-Economical) Issues

Socio-economical dislocation at national as well as international level. Will benefits of molecular biotechnology be available to wealthy only or all? Investments and expenses done on various research projects, disease prevention etc. - the problems of third world countries get less priority. Eg: Potato-plastic from starch.

 Will agricultural molecular biology undermine traditional farming practices? Tissue culture, stock plants production, modern seed testing with DNA probes and many other practices are going to replace traditional current practices. Will medicinal therapy based on molecular biotechnology supersede equally effective traditional treatments?

Legal Issues
The most serious aspect of biotechnology is perhaps lack of supervision, lack of regulation, and secrecy. Patenting; testing the production in countries which are ignorant of effects; illegal release of genetically engineered organisms and many issues need more attention. Quest for patents may inhibit exchange of ideas amongst even research scientists.

 Bioweapons : Genetic engineering is being used to revolutionize biological warfare through creation of novel viruses and bacteria which could have catastrophic effects and initiate a genetic arms race. Even AIDS virus is supposed to be outcome of such research. There has to be legal ban and appropriate control to stop such applications.

 Introduction of novel types into foreign habitats may disturb the natural equilibrium. Catfish, trout and salmon have been engineered with a number of genes from humans, cattle and rats to increase their growth and reproduction. If released into environment the novel mutant fish could mate with native species, polluting the gene pool of native species quickly and permanently. Genetic engineering of organisms and product of organisms on large-scale with certain characteristics will reduce natural genetic diversity. This will result into genetic uniformity in farm animals and in agricultural plants. Prolonged use of cross genetic species may result into loss of natural world. Genetically engineered products, because they are alive are inherently more unpredictable than chemical products. Genetically engineered products can reproduce, mutate, migrate, spread risky it is!

Environmental Issues

 Unforeseen and undesirable characteristics in novel organisms and unacceptable transmission of genetic material to other hosts. Careless release of genetically engineered microorganisms can cause damage to ecology.

Health and Safety Issues

The BT endotoxin gene (from Bacillus thuringenesis) although giving pest resistance to corn and dozens of other important crops causes stunting in them. Bovine growth hormone use has resulted in the increased incidence of mastitis in cows. Genetically engineered BGH (Bovine growth hormone) dairy products may have increased levels of dangerous hormones and antibiotics. There are reports of some British users of genetically engineered insulin collapsing to unconsciousness and filing suit against the manufacturer Eli Lilly.

Precautionary Measures
The Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group (GMAG) has established procedural guidelines for the confinement of rDNA activities to the laboratory. Both knowledge and technology is new and is advancing rapidly, therefore, evaluation of rewards and risks is difficult. PROSAMO, Planned Release of Selected and Manipulated Organisms is a four year study funded by UK and some interested companies (Du Pont Ltd. UK, Monsanto, Europe and Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium).