The Ethics of Agricultural Biotechnology and Food

Public discussions on the topic of biotechnology are focused on a variety of issues. These include general moral questions regarding how we should treat our fellow humans, non-human living beings, and nature more generally, as well as more specific issues that arise with respect to particular technologies and applications. In the case of plant biotechnology, for example, typical questions regard the risks of outcrossing between genetically modified and wild-type plants, the risks for consumers of products based on genetically modified plants, animals, or microbes, the acceptability of patenting of DNA sequences or genetically modified organisms, and estimates of possible advantages and disadvantages of applying genetic technologies to plants in the production of food and feed. In the case of animal biotechnology, questions are focused more on the well-being of animals subjected to biotechnology.

Teaching language - English

Content

  • applications of biotechnology in agriculture. 
  • issues in food ethics

LITERATURE RECOMMENDATION

  • P.B. Thompson (2015): From Field to Fork: Food Ethics for Everyone, New York: Oxford University Press.

COURSE ENROLLMENT AND MATERIALS

Further information about this module can be found via the Online Course Catalogue and Stud.IP. In addition, you must also register your attendance at this course via Stud.IP.


Lecturer

Prof. Dr. Thomas Reydon
Professors
Professor of Philosophy of Science and Technology
Address
Otto-Brenner-Str. 1-3
30159 Hannover
Building
Room
811
Prof. Dr. Thomas Reydon
Professors
Professor of Philosophy of Science and Technology
Address
Otto-Brenner-Str. 1-3
30159 Hannover
Building
Room
811