Bioethics and GM Mosquitoes

GM Mosquitoes

Bioethics and Debate

Bioethics applies to moral decisions concerning advances in biology, medicine and technology

In a moral dilemma, there are two or more moral positions that support contradictory judgments or decisions.

The study of moral standards and how they affect conduct is called ethics.

Bioethics

New technologies generate ethical questions that cannot be answered using scientific methods.

Agencies that regulate whether products are manufactured, sold or used are the FDA, USDA, and EPA.

Multiple Choice

Individual beliefs that motivate people to act one way or another

• Facts

• Values

• Alternatives

• Arguments

Multiple Choice

Branch of philosophy that deals with distinction between right and wrong – with the moral consequences of human actions.

• Morality

• Ethics

• Bioethics

Multiple Choice

GMO means...

• genetically made organism

• genetically modified organism

• genetically more organisms

Strategy for Values Clarification

• Identify and understand the problem or issue. Learn as much as possible about the issue.

• List all possible solutions to the issue.

• Identify the pros and cons of adopting each solution.

• Rank all solutions from best to worst.

• Decide if the problem is important enough to take a position.

Poll

PUBLIC POLICY CASE EXAMPLE:

A new variety of genetically modified corn is being made available that resists pests without the use of pesticide.

Should this GMO be approved for use by the USDA?

• YES

• NO

Poll

PUBLIC POLICY CASE :

A new variety of genetically modified corn is being made available that resists pests without the use of pesticide.

Should it be labeled as GMO?

• YES

• NO

GM mosquitoes released in Burkina Faso, Africa (2017)

https://www.bbc.com/news/av-embeds/53856776/vpid/p06p8snp

750 Million GM Mosquitoes Will Be Released in the Florida Keys

• a pilot program will release 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes into the Florida Keys in 2021

• 46 species of mosquitoes currently recorded in Fl Keys

• Mosquitoes are known to spread malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya

BIOETHICAL DILEMMA

Should GM Mosquitoes be released into the environment in order to reduce the spread of disease?

Poll

Should GM mosquitoes be released into the environment in hopes of reducing the spread of disease?

• YES

• NO

Multiple Select

BIOETHICAL DILEMMA: What should be considered when making a decision.

• Strategy for Values Clarification

• Information from regulating agencies

• Personal Values

• Public Views/Opinions

RESEACRCH

• Read article posted in Publications Channel in TEAM

• Research on the Debate Topic

• Post Open Ended Questions in Publication Channel for all students to view. (NO ONE NEEDS TO ANSWER THEM! ONLY FOR OPEN DISCUSSION IN CLASS)