Introduction
Biotechnology has the potential of producing both positive and negative unanticipated consequences. The effects might involve harming human beings, animals, and even the environment. In addition to harmful consequences, long-term developments concerning biotechnology might prove difficult or even impossible to retrograde from or control. On the other hand, the positive benefits associated with these events cannot be ignored, nor should they be weighed against the harmful consequences to chart the way forward. The ethical aspects of developing artificial life through biotechnology can assist in determining the future of synthetic biology. The following reflective essay reviews my position on the development of artificial life, especially concerning the ethics of synthetic biology practices.
Ethics Surrounding Artificial Life Development in Biotechnology
Various definitions of biology have been advanced with the most common one being ââany technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof (whether genetically modified or not) to make or modify products or processes for general useââ (Fitzsimons 2). Biotechnology thus takes into account a wide range of developments including eugenics, bioethics, stem cell research, xenotransplantation, nanotechnology among others.
Synthetic biology, on the other hand, has been used in describing a set of various technological and scientific disciplines, sharing the objective of designing and producing new forms of life (Deplazes-Zemp 758). Synthetic biology from my viewpoint is a tremendous human development, whose benefits to society should be harnessed irrespective of the ethical issues involved.
Artificial life development has posed various ethical positions, concerning the concept of life itself. Some of the arising issues concerning the artificial development of life relate to the role of technology in the society and motives of scientists behind these developments. Another disturbing issue relating to artificial life forms developed through synthetic biology relates to the status of the particular organism.
In society, history has proved the dual usage aspect of various technologies, including biotechnology. Apparently, during the early years of biotechnology evolution (the late 1970s and early 1980s), genetic engineering, for instance, raised much apprehension. The detractors of the development believed that eugenics would result in alterations concerning natural selection. In humans, for example, new species were expected to be created, although this has proven more difficult so far, despite the âcreationâ of simple life forms.
In my viewpoint, advances in biotechnology and other biosciences have the potential of empowering the human race, to the extent of the overriding significance of related harmful effects. For instance, synthetic biology holds the promise of developing treatments with effectiveness superseding our current interventions. The world is currently plagued with numerous diseases and disorders that are costing billions of dollars in treatment and the loss of millions of lives every day. The hope of overcoming these social problems through artificial life should dispel our fears.
The appreciation of artificial life should, however, be based on frameworks that control the ethical and harmful effects related to the development. The conception of life forms such as protocells using synthetic biology indisputably raises several ethical issues. Biocentrism, for instance, holds the view that every living organism has an intrinsic value; hence they are morally considerable (Deplazes-Zemp 770). Due to the stated moral consider ability, living organisms should not be compared with machines.
The ethical argument in biocentrism is that the conception of life using synthetic biology exhibits neglect of a crucial aspect of life. Human beings, for instance, are good on their own, meaning that they can flourish without artificial forms. Moral responsibility should be exercised towards the created organism, by ensuring that unnecessary harm is not caused. The ethical issue raised in biocentrism is supplemented well by virtue ethics.
Virtue ethicists query the moral character of the scientists or individuals developing artificial life through synthetic biology. The issue lies in the extent to which these individuals comply with the set rules and the consequences of their actions. Synthetic biologists can be accused and have been accused in some instances of lacking respect for life. Synthetic biologists should be guided by virtues such as generosity and helpfulness.
Another aspect in which artificial life poses ethical concerns is the role of technology and technological developments in society. The development of life through biotechnology raises the concern of whether we have culminated into treating nature as just a mere source. Patenting of biotechnology products also poses a significant ethical issue. It is not clear the implications the patents will have on both the holders and the users of the products, especially those related to artificial life forms. The two technological viewpoints render artificial life development as a very objectionable tendency.
The three perspectives towards ethical concerns in biotechnology especially concerning artificial life are genuinely significant. The future of life as a quality living thing whether they are humans or animals will be significantly affected by the development. However, it is vital to consider the benefits associated with artificial life forms. Historically, human beings have been engaged in various forms of research and experimentation on nature, in a bid to improve lives and living conditions. People, for instance, have crossed different species of animals and plants for personal purposes. Despite the interference, nature has always kept these ventured checked by rendering some of the manipulations fruitless. In addition, these developments have been taking place over a considerable period. Consequently, nature has had considerable time to correct errors, as well as preserve success through evolutionary processes.
The human experimenters, on the other hand, have also had time to modify, and also adapt their efforts in line with experience. The events of the recent decades are however proceeding at a very fast pace, a factor that has added weight to the ethical concerns in biotechnology. The developments should be regarded in the light of their positive contributions to society. In addition, measures should be developed to address the various ethical concerns, and also provide the necessary controls.
My viewpoint is that all technological developments in the past have come with their respective challenges (for instance nuclear energy), although this has not deterred progress. Biosafety and biosecurity provide with means of enhancing control on biotechnological developments. Biosafety policies and regulations should insist on more strict measures for ensuring that synthetic biology, for example, is practiced in an environment that is safe.
Biosecurity, on the other hand, should emphasize more on the utilization of tools that ensure the scientists are protected from and do not inflict harm on others. In the practice of biotechnology, it is essential that the scientists exert their judgment continuously, and also question themselves. Items such as the safety of projects should be backed with enhanced training, to minimize adverse outcomes.
The tools currently available to biotechnologists have an immense potential for providing stunning benefits to human and even non-human forms of life. Researchers, for instance, are learning to comprehend, as well as manipulate genetic cells to control cells. Synthetic means in turn can be used to develop drugs that would otherwise e extracted at a great cost from rare plants. Such benefits do not favor human beings alone, but also the plants, and in turn the environment.
Conclusion
Developments in synthetic biology are being faced with numerous ethical concerns, most of which are genuine. Humanity has however been able to attain considerable developments in the past, due to the willingness to engage in risk experiments and research. The development of artificial life, however, sounds like a farfetched ambitious idea with a likelihood of generating unimaginable consequences. My viewpoint on biotechnological developments, especially artificial life is that potential opportunities outweigh the adverse effects. Experts in the synthetic biology community should engage in further debates concerning the ethical implications and possible risks of their work. In addition, a plan should be created to coordinate research in the creation of artificial life, coupled with more stringent regulations and guidelines in the practice.
Extensive coverage and exposure of the progress in developments from biotechnology should also be facilitated. In this manner, the scientists are likely to gain increased public trust in light of their work, and also portray them as responsible. Controversies regarding artificial life are however not going to reduce quickly, a factor likely to raise greater questions and restrictions in practicing biotechnology. The need for greater public trust seems to be a factor likely to determine the future of synthetic biology, and research in artificial intelligence with few ethical issues.
Works Cited
Deplazes-Zemp, Anna. âThe Conception of Life in Synthetic Biology.â Science & Engineering Ethics 18.1(2012): 757-774. Print.
Fitzsimons, Peter. “Biotechnology, Ethics, and Education.” Studies in Philosophy and Education 26.1 (2007):1â11. Print.