Ethics in Biotechnology

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Ethics in Biotechnology
Leadership and Ethics Professor Kent Rhodes

• Angela Copeland
• Martin Proctor
• Kelly Van der Sande

July 27, 2005 MBAM 685.13
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Ethics in Biotechnology

• Some Hot Topics
• - Gene Therapy
• - Genetically Modified Food
• Stem Cell Research
• - Dilemma
• - Introduction to Stem Cells
• - Global Stem Cell Views
• - Religious Issues
• - Hosmers Model

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Some Hot Topics Gene Therapy

• 2,800 Genetic Disorders
• - Huntington, cystis fibrosis, hemophilia
• 2 Types Gene Therapy
• - Somatic gene therapy
• - Germline gene therapy

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Some Hot Topics Gene Therapy
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Some Hot Topics Gene Therapy

• Legislation
• - FDA No approved products at this moment
• - EU Regulatory directives, national
  interpretation

• Ethical Considerations
• - Playing God ? Perfecting Genes ?
• - Somatic vs. Germline gene therapy
• - Money, Money, Money !
• - Racism, Eugenics

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Some Hot Topics Genetically Modified Food

• food product containing some quantity of any
  genetically modified organism (GMO) as an
  ingredient
• Direct Indirect Benefits
• Golden Rice , Flavr Savr Tomato

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Some Hot Topics Genetically Modified Food

• Legislation
• - FDA Voluntary Consultation
• - EU Some blanket bans, national
  interpretation

• Ethical Considerations
• - Unnatural ? Dangerous for humans
  environment
• - Industrialization, Corporate Control
• - Interfering with Nature ?
• - Animal genes in plants vice versa

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Ethics in Biotechnology

• Some Hot Topics
• - Gene Therapy
• - Genetically Modified Food
• Stem Cell Research
• - Dilemma
• - Introduction to Stem Cells
• - Global Stem Cell Views
• - Religious Issues
• - Hosmers Model

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Stem Cell Research Dilemma

• Biotechnology Stem Cells
• Dilemma
• Protecting the unborn child
• Vs.
• Cure diseases and save many lives

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Stem Cell Research Introduction to Stem Cells

• Embryonic Stem Cells
• Transforms into any type of cell
• In a Petri dish
• Umbilical Cord (Child) Stem Cells
• From placenta / umbilical cord
• Stem Cell Bank
• Adult Stem Cells
• More specialized stem cells
• Difficult to locate, slower growth rate, higher
  rejection rate

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Stem Cell Research Global Stem Cell views

• US Various levels of allowance
• UK Specific uses allowed
• Countries that provide govt funding for
  research US, UK, South Korea, China, Australia,
  Israel, Singapore, Argentina, Uruguay, Sweden
• Countries that allow research without government
  funding Switzerland, Finland, Greece, Brazil,
  Netherlands

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Stem Cell Research Religious Issues

• Legal set up major religion
• Cathololic Church
• NO WAY UNDER ANY SITUATION
• The soul is one with the body
• Anglican Church
• Yes up till 14 days or split
• Not an individual till that moment

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Stem Cell Research Religious Issues

• Islam
• Not ensoled untill 40/120 days
• Embryos not in their own environment will die
• A duty to try and save life
• Judaism
• Religious law should protect life
• Embryo will die so use it, can break commandments
  in order to save life

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Benefits ?
• - Patients
• - Governments
• - Pharmaceutical companies
• - Research

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Harmed ?
• - Fetus
• - Other Projects

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Rights fully exercised ?
• - Patients
• - Scientists
• - Doctors

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Rights denied ?
• - Religious Groups
• - None Religious Pro-Life Groups
• - Fetus

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Ethical Problem ?

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Economic Outcomes ?
• - Healthcare savings
• - Less money for other projects?
• - For whom?
• - Re-enter workforce
• - Greying population

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Legal Requirements ?
• - Research (42 countries)
• - U.K. (cloning embryos)
• - Medical Research (U.K., Belgium, Singapore
  Japan)
• - Future considerations!

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Ethical Duties ?
• - Relieve suffering of patients
• - Education
• - Funding medical research

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Stem Cell Research Hosmers Model

• Team Consensus ?
• - Not a human being (14 days)
• - Education
• - Increase funding medical research
• - Legal framework
• - Wide availabillity
• - Stem cell bank Personal bank

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Ethics in Biotechnology
Leadership and Ethics Professor Kent Rhodes

• Angela Copeland
• Martin Proctor
• Kelly Van der Sande

July 27, 2005 MBAM 685.13