Ethics and Biotechnology

1
Ethics and Biotechnology

• Intro to Biotech 13

2
Definition of bioethics

• Code of values for our actions
• Ethics could be considered guide to separate
  right and wrong, good from evil
• Area of biological research and biotechnological
  applications

3
Guide

• How to think about ethics
• Encourage you to ask questions
• Think about how to ask the right questions
• Acquire all the facts
• Make decisions based on information and facts
  rather than emotional reactions

4
Right type of questions

• Not Can this be done? but Should this be
  done?
• If something should be done, the question then
  becomes how can it be done in the right way?

5
Utilitarian Approach

• Situational ethics
• Something is good if it useful
• Action is moral if it maximizes pleasure among
  humans
• greatest good for the greatest number

6
Deontological Approach

• Objectivism
• Kantian approach or duty ethics
• Certain imperatives, or absolute principles,
  which we should follow out of a sense of duty and
  which should dictate our actions

7
Example of difference

• Paragraph on p.289
• Differences can sometimes be blended
• Gather information, consider the facts, make a
  thoughtful and informed decision

8
Discussion points

• p.292
• p.293
• p.298
• p. 301

9
Additional resources

• http//www.bioethics.net/404.php
• http//bioethics.gov/