Ethical aspects of biotechnology applications

This paper examines ethical issues associated with two recent major developments in biotechnology: 1. The question of whether it is ethically acceptable to patent living organisms and genes and 2. Ethical issues related to the ability to predict or prognosticate disease susceptibility using increasingly refined genetic markers. In both instances, a pragmatic consequentialist approach is proposed which encourages biotechnology development while adhering to ethical standards. The paper concludes by encouraging public education about modern genetics in order to avoid inappropriate public fear and concern.