Purpose

Project intends to research the social, legal, ethical, and cultural issues surrounding agricultural biotechnology. It will result in a series of papers that analyze, explicate, and clarify the ethical, aesthetic, and cultural values that inform debates about agricultural biotechnology.

Each essay will deal with a single well-defined question and rely on the methods of philosophical analysis. Examined will be the soundness and validity of arguments made against and in favor of agricultural biotechnology. These arguments will be traced back to bedrock moral beliefs and political convictions.

Objectives

First paper will address the belief that agricultural biotechnology is needed to feed the world's poor and, especially, growing populations in developing countries. Issues of food security, economic development and political liberty as they pertain to ability of the poorest-of-the poor to produce and/or purchase food.

Two papers will be written on the ecological consequences of agricultural biotechnology. One would address the profound and sweeping effect agriculture has on the landscape, its ecological consequences. What effect does biotechnology on these changes? Profound, or negligible?

One paper would discuss and assess the specific concern that genetically modified plants, by hybridizing with wild relatives, might cause economic or ecological damage.

Possible primary paper will deal with the question of whether agricultural biotechnology or genetic engineering (including conventional breeding techniques) may add significantly to the world's biodiversity.

Impact

Provide general, thoughtful, philosophical insights and discussions to help the understanding of public and private decision makers and society as to the potential effects of the application of agricultural biotechnology.