CH391L/S13/Ethics: Difference between revisions

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*Ken Oye, [http://www.synbiosafe.eu/DVD/Synbiosafe.html Synbiosafe] (2009)

</blockquote>

According to the PCSBI, there were "...relatively few objections from religious or secular ethicists concerning the present status of the field" <cite>pcsbi</cite>. Although the accusation of "playing god" is used often (primarily by sensationalist headline writers), it is usually found in a secular context, accompanied by the semi-secular equivalent of "messing with Mother Nature" <cite>protocells</cite>. Such concerns can be easily dealt with by scientists that can properly interact with the general public (and which refrain from hubris and grand proclamations). Deep-seated opposition to synthetic biology is only found at the fringe of society <cite>protocells</cite>, and most mainstream religious philosophies are generally accepting of current synthetic biology technologies. Christianity justifies synthetic biology through stories from the bible, such as the parable of the talents <cite>bible</cite>. The standard Christian explanation of this parable is that it is wrong for humans to squander their intelligence, and we are morally obligated to increase our power and expand our scientific knowledge <cite>catholic</cite>. There is also the command found in Genesis to be fruitful and ~~multiple~~, and to rule over the creatures of the world, which is often interpreted as supporting research into the inner workings of organisms.

According to the PCSBI, there were "...relatively few objections from religious or secular ethicists concerning the present status of the field" <cite>pcsbi</cite>. Although the accusation of "playing god" is used often (primarily by sensationalist headline writers), it is usually found in a secular context, accompanied by the semi-secular equivalent of "messing with Mother Nature" <cite>protocells</cite>. Such concerns can be easily dealt with by scientists that can properly interact with the general public (and which refrain from hubris and grand proclamations). Deep-seated opposition to synthetic biology is only found at the fringe of society <cite>protocells</cite>, and most mainstream religious philosophies are generally accepting of current synthetic biology technologies. Christianity justifies synthetic biology through stories from the bible, such as the parable of the talents <cite>bible</cite>. The standard Christian explanation of this parable is that it is wrong for humans to squander their intelligence, and we are morally obligated to increase our power and expand our scientific knowledge <cite>catholic</cite>. There is also the command found in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply, and to rule over the creatures of the world, which is often interpreted as supporting research into the inner workings of organisms.

Secular objections to synthetic biology can be found in the "Deep Ecology" philosophy, which emphasizes the right to life of all living things without regard to their value to humanity. Intrinsic to this philosophy is opposition to humanity's current domination and control of Earth. Therefore, the efforts of synthetic biologists to finely control organisms (albeit simple single-celled organisms) represent the latest attack by humanity on Nature. It is doubtful any reconciliation between scientists and deep ecologists could be made, given that a fundamental property of science is the testing and quantification of the natural world. Opposition to the power of corporations is also a basis for criticizing advances in synthetic biology<cite>etc</cite>. Such objections are not opposed outright to the use of science, but rather to its abuse in the unchecked pursuit for profits, and may in fact represent a more ethical approach given the destruction wrought by multinationals in petroleum and chemical production.

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 *Ken Oye, [http://www.synbiosafe.eu/DVD/Synbiosafe.html Synbiosafe] (2009)
 </blockquote>
-According to the PCSBI, there were "...relatively few objections from religious or secular ethicists concerning the present status of the field" <cite>pcsbi</cite>. Although the accusation of "playing god" is used often (primarily by sensationalist headline writers), it is usually found in a secular context, accompanied by the semi-secular equivalent of "messing with Mother Nature" <cite>protocells</cite>. Such concerns can be easily dealt with by scientists that can properly interact with the general public (and which refrain from hubris and grand proclamations). Deep-seated opposition to synthetic biology is only found at the fringe of society <cite>protocells</cite>, and most mainstream religious philosophies are generally accepting of current synthetic biology technologies. Christianity justifies synthetic biology through  stories from the bible, such as the parable of the talents <cite>bible</cite>. The standard Christian explanation of this parable is that it is wrong for humans to squander their intelligence, and we are morally obligated to increase our power and expand our scientific knowledge <cite>catholic</cite>. There is also the command found in Genesis to be fruitful and multiple, and to rule over the creatures of the world, which is often interpreted as supporting research into the inner workings of organisms.
+According to the PCSBI, there were "...relatively few objections from religious or secular ethicists concerning the present status of the field" <cite>pcsbi</cite>. Although the accusation of "playing god" is used often (primarily by sensationalist headline writers), it is usually found in a secular context, accompanied by the semi-secular equivalent of "messing with Mother Nature" <cite>protocells</cite>. Such concerns can be easily dealt with by scientists that can properly interact with the general public (and which refrain from hubris and grand proclamations). Deep-seated opposition to synthetic biology is only found at the fringe of society <cite>protocells</cite>, and most mainstream religious philosophies are generally accepting of current synthetic biology technologies. Christianity justifies synthetic biology through  stories from the bible, such as the parable of the talents <cite>bible</cite>. The standard Christian explanation of this parable is that it is wrong for humans to squander their intelligence, and we are morally obligated to increase our power and expand our scientific knowledge <cite>catholic</cite>. There is also the command found in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply, and to rule over the creatures of the world, which is often interpreted as supporting research into the inner workings of organisms.
 Secular objections to synthetic biology can be found in the "Deep Ecology" philosophy, which emphasizes the right to life of all living things without regard to their value to humanity. Intrinsic to this philosophy is opposition to humanity's current domination and control of Earth. Therefore, the efforts of synthetic biologists to finely control organisms (albeit simple single-celled organisms) represent the latest attack by humanity on Nature. It is doubtful any reconciliation between scientists and deep ecologists could be made, given that a fundamental property of science is the testing and quantification of the natural world. Opposition to the power of corporations is also a basis for criticizing advances in synthetic biology<cite>etc</cite>. Such objections are not opposed outright to the use of science, but rather to its abuse in the unchecked pursuit for profits, and may in fact represent a more ethical approach given the destruction wrought by multinationals in petroleum and chemical production.