New developments in the life sciences, especially cloning and genetically modified organisms, have posed serious ethical issues for both the scientists and the public to consider.
The issues include:
The potential to misuse of genetic information about individuals.
The question of who owns genes and the genetic code.
The implications of patenting knowledge that traditionally has been shared.
The acceptability of cloning human beings for reproductive or other purposes.
The acceptability of transferring genes from one animal species to another.
The safety of genetically-modified organisms, both in terms of the environment and the consumer, including reduced biodiversity.
(China Daily 04/09/2001)
