Biotechnology

How should we assess a biological technology before using it?

The word biotechnology covers very different activities. A useful discussion specifies the application, expected benefit, evidence and who bears uncertainty. We can ask whose consent is relevant, how access is organised and how effects on people, animals and ecosystems will be monitored. Neither a promise of progress nor unease about novelty is enough to decide every case.

A question to sit with (optional): What evidence would justify this use, and what would cause us to stop or revise it?