Ethical Tensions from New Technology : The Case of Agricultural Biotechnology

New technologies can create ethical tensions when there is a conflict of interests, values or rights. One of the key examples of such technology is agricultural biotechnology. This book explores the reasons for those tensions, and potential solutions.

The introduction of new technologies can be controversial, especially when they create ethical tensions as well as winners and losers among stakeholders and interest groups. While ethical tensions resulting from the genetic modification of crops and plants and their supportive gene technologies have been apparent for decades, persistent challenges remain. This book explores the contemporary nature, type, extent and implications of ethical tensions resulting from agricultural biotechnology specifically and technology generally. There are four main arenas of ethical tensions: public opinion, policy and regulation, technology as solutions to problems, and older versus new technologies. Contributions focus on one or more of these arenas by identifying the ethical tensions technology creates and articulating emerging fault lines and, where possible, viable solutions. Key features include:Focusing on contemporary challenges created by new and emerging technologies, especially agricultural biotechnology.Identifying a unique perspective by considering the problem of ethical tensions created or enhanced by new technologies.Providing an interdisciplinary perspective by including perspectives from sociologists, economists, philosophers and other social scientists.This book will be of interest to academics in agricultural economics, sociology and philosophy and policymakers concerned with introducing new technology into agriculture.