Ethics in Biotechnology
Section 1: Foundational Ethical Principles (Choose 5-7)
1. Define and explain the four key ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence,
non-maleficence, and justice. Provide a specific example of how each
principle might apply in a biotechnology context.
2. What is the difference between deontology and consequentialism? How
might these different ethical frameworks lead to different conclusions about
a biotechnology issue?
3. Explain the concept of informed consent. What are the key elements of
informed consent in the context of genetic testing or research?
4. What are the potential ethical challenges related to the use of human
subjects in biotechnology research? How can these challenges be
addressed?
5. Discuss the ethical implications of using animals in biomedical research.
What are some of the arguments for and against animal research?
6. What is the precautionary principle? How might it be applied to the
development and release of new biotechnologies?
7. Explain the concept of distributive justice. How does it relate to access to
new biotechnological advancements?
8. What are some of the potential social and economic impacts of
biotechnology? How can ethical considerations be integrated into decisions
about the development and use of these technologies?
Section 2: Specific Biotechnology Issues (Choose 3-5)
1. Discuss the ethical implications of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology.
What are the potential benefits and risks? What are some of the key ethical
concerns surrounding its use in humans?
2. What are the ethical arguments for and against the development and use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs)? Consider both agricultural and
medical applications.
