AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion

News & Events: Public Lecture

For centuries, humans have been deliberately modifying genetic traits of plants and animals to serve a wide range of human needs: food, fuel, fiber, and even companionship (e.g. pets). The general public appears largely unconcerned about the ethical issues that can be raised by conventional breeding. What is it then, about biotechnology, and in particular the use of transgenic technology in food, that has raised public objections in the United States and even more strongly in Europe? The types of ethical issues raised by biotechnology, both those uniquely posed by the technology itself as well as those which transcend the technology (i.e. globalization, the environment, control of genetic resources), will be outlined, including metaphysical concerns and their relationship to issues in consumer choice. The shaping of public and policy responses to biotechnology and the way that science is integrated into procedures for democratic decision-making will also be discussed.

Keynote speaker:

• Michael Rodemeyer,
  Executive Director, Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
• Dr. Paul Thompson,
  Department of Philosophy, Purdue University