Team:SDU-Denmark/Tour52

Ethics

Living organisms can be manipulated genetically so they obtain specific characteristics. Such modifications of organisms are obtained by inserting genetic material from other living organisms. Source: Marshall, S: Genetically Modified Organisms and Food. Nutrition & Food Science, 1994.94:1,4-7. (Link) A genetically modified organism (GMO) is associated with uncertainty by many. Source: Mehta, M.: Public perceptions of genetically engineered foods: “Playing God” or trusting science Risk. Health, Safety and Environment, 2001. 12,205–220. (Link) Consequently, many countries have strict regulations or laws against use of GMOs or both. The European Union particularity tend to have strict regulations regarding GMOs. Source: Davison, J.: GM plants: Science, politics and EC regulations. Plant Science, 2010. 178,94–98. (Link)

In Africa regulations of GMOs are also strict although GMOs have great potential in relation to food and crops Source: Paarlberg, R.: GMO foods and crops: Africa's choice. New Biotechnology, 2010.27:5,609–613. (Link) The regulations of GMOs in Africa are based on the consumers perception’s, rather than on health and food safety. Source: Viljoen, C.D and Marx, G.M.: The implications for mandatory GM labelling under the Consumer Protection Act in South Africa. Food Control, 2013.31:2,387–391. (Link)

Manipulation of living organisms gives rise to questions of the public whether the interest of the GMO seems profitable or not. One of the central questions, which has given rise to public debate is whether scientists pretend to be God by constructing GMOs. Source: Mehta, M.: Public perceptions of genetically engineered foods: “Playing God” or trusting science Risk. Health, Safety and Environment, 2001. 12,205–220. (Link)

Studies suggests that individuals with lower levels of scientific knowledge are equivalently skeptical towards science. Source: Einsiedel, E.F.: Mental Maps of Science: Knowledge and attitude Among Canadian Adults. Int J Public Opin Res, 1994.6:1,35-44. (Link)

Lack of scientific knowledge indicates a necessity of dissemination of research done by the scientists. Especially research of genetically modified food are dependent on the applications in society. This is emphasized by the distinction between the use of GMOs in agriculture compared to the production of pharmaceutics, which has been described. Source: Marris, C: Public views on GMOs: deconstructing the myths. EMBO reports, 2001.2:7,545-548. (Link) This means that people are more likely to accept GMOs if they recognize an effect of a product, which is a well- known property of pharmaceutics. It therefore becomes a problem if the public opinion is that laboratories are insecurity. Thereby, it is important that a scientist does not become ignorant to this reality but rather aims at converting science.