B14.7 Ethics of genetic technologies

Question 1

What are advantages of genetic engineering?

Answer 1

Improved growth rates of plants and animals
Increased food value of crops
Crops can be designed to crow well in dry hot areas or cold parts of the world

Question 2

What does golden rice offer?

Answer 2

Vitamin A that can improve sight

Question 3

Why is GM rice not being developed?

Answer 3

The way the trials of the rice were run and the cost of the product

Question 4

How can genetic engineering one day be used to cure human genetic disorders?

Answer 4

• ‘healthy’ genes could be inserted into affected cells
• The affected cells could then begin to work properly
• Advances in science may mean we can alter peoples genes
• Scientists would then be able to change the affected gene so they no longer have the disorder

Question 5

What are the ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering?

Answer 5

• Some people are concerned that development in genetic engineering may mean people start to genetically modify
humans or the genes of future children.
• Genetic engineering is a relatively new science and we are not aware of the long term affects.
• For example, insect may develop resistance to pesticides from eating plants genetically modified to produce pesticides.