The Human Ecology: Ethical Issues on Biotechnology with Particular Reference to Genetic Engineering of Nonhuman Organisms

Abstract

Biotechnology is one of the areas of science that uses the modification of living organisms for human purposes. This paper lays emphasis on agricultural biotechnology (genetic engineering of nonhuman organisms) which concerns the use of selective breeding to improve the production of crops and livestock to use them for food. It has been a subject of debate if biotechnology is beneficial or harmful to human beings? In reflecting on the origin of the universe, the human person and creation as God's creative work as our faith teaches us, the question that comes to mind is if biotechnology changes nature, modifies it or fosters its development? Was biotechnology invented for the wellbeing of humans? Is biotechnology a violation of nature? Does the power to intervene in nature and change it not dangerous to human life? Are genetically engineered foods beneficial to human life? Questions like these occupy our attention in this paper. This paper agrees with the teaching of the Church that nature is a gift offered gratuitously by the Creator to the human community, entrusted to intelligence and moral responsibility to humankind. The beauty and goodness of the Creator manifests in nature and in human beings, hence, human interventions that damage living beings or natural environment deserve condemnation while those that improve them are praiseworthy (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 2005, no.473).