Agricultural biotechnology in an ethical context

The introduction of some agricultural biotechnologies in New Zealand has created considerable controversy. The main objections concern possible harm to man, damage to the environment and discomfit about the ‘unnatural’ status of the technology. This report has therefore examined the ethical issues that are raised by the development and application of food based biotechnologies. Three ethical principles have been used in that examination: 1) the principle of general human welfare 2) the maintenance of people’s rights 3) the principle of justice. A framework using the three ethical principles has been advanced with the aim of reducing the controversy and leading to optimum outcomes.