We are familiar with the ethical issues involving fetal tissue
transplantation and research, right-to-die, organ donor issues, etc.
Genetic engineering has received a healthy share of scientific concern
over the years. It has even been challenged on economic grounds (e.g.,
why promote increased milk production via BST when there is a
tremendous surplus would already drive market prices further down if
not for governmental price supports?). Ethical challenges have been
mostly uncoordinated and low-key.
I realize that this forum is subscribed to by agriculturists, researchers,
and interested others. There may not be many professional philosophers
in our ranks. It would be helpful to our forum in particular and to society
at large for this discussion to be enlarged to include a bioethical
evaluation and discourse.
Marc Safley
msafley@usda.gov