Issues in Biotechnology
Despite these potentials, we anticipate continuing controversy over such issues as:
- Eugenics
- Cloning of humans, including concerns over morality, errors, induced medical problems, gene ownership, and human breeding;
- Gene patents and the potential for either excessive ownership rights of sequences or insufficient intellectual property protections to encourage investments;
- The safety and ethics of genetically modified organisms; • The use of stem cells (whose current principal source is human embryos) for tissue engineering;
- Concerns over animal rights brought about by transplantation from animals as well as the risk of trans-species disease;
- Privacy of genetic profiles (e.g., nationwide police databases of DNA profiles, denial of employment or insurance based on genetic predispositions);
- The danger of environmental havoc from genetically modified organisms (perhaps balanced by increased knowledge and control of modification functions compared to more traditional manipulation mechanisms);
- An increased risk of engineered biological weapons (perhaps balanced by an increased ability to engineer countermeasures and protections). Nevertheless, biomedical advances (combined with other health improvements) will continue to increase human life span in those countries where they are applied. Such advances are likely to lengthen individual productivity but also will accentuate such issues as shifts in population age, financial support for retired people, and increased health care costs for individuals.
REVOLUTION OF MATERIALS, DEVICES, AND MANUFACTURING
Materials technology will produce products, components, and systems that are smaller, smarter, multi-functional, environmentally compatible, more survivable, and customizable. These products will not only contribute to the growing revolutions of information and biology but will have additional effects on manufacturing, logistics, and personal lifestyles.
