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Property rights and genetic engineering: developing nations at risk.

Kristin Shrader-Frechette1

  • 1Department of Philosophy and Department of Biological Sciences, 100 Malloy Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. Kristin.Shrader-Frechette.1@nd.edu

Science and Engineering Ethics
|February 25, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Genetically engineered seeds (GES) offer benefits but raise ethical concerns. This paper advocates for revising GES patent policies to align with Lockean ethical principles, ensuring broader societal benefit.

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Correction: Shrader-Frechette, K.; Biondo, A.M. Data-Quality Assessment Signals Toxic-Site Safety Threats and Environmental Injustices. <i>Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health</i> 2021, <i>18</i>, 2012.

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Correction: Shrader-Frechette, K.; Biondo, A.M. Health Misinformation about Toxic-Site Harm: The Case for Independent-Party Testing to Confirm Safety. <i>Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health</i> 2021, <i>18</i>, 3882.

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Ethics

Background:

  • Eighty percent of commercial genetically engineered seeds (GES) are engineered for herbicide resistance, increasing chemical use and reducing labor costs.
  • Developing nations report negative impacts of GES, including food shortages, unemployment, herbicide-resistant weeds, and loss of native cultivars due to gene flow.
  • Current patent policies for GES are questioned for their ethical implications and potential negative societal consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the ethical considerations of current genetically engineered seed (GES) patent policies.
  • To propose revisions to GES patent policies based on Lockean ethical principles.
  • To address objections and provide practical recommendations for implementing ethical patent reforms.

Main Methods:

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  • Survey of current genetically engineered (GE) technology and its applications.
  • Review of John Locke's philosophical account of property rights.
  • Ethical analysis of existing GES patent policies in light of Lockean principles.

Main Results:

  • While GES patents themselves may be reasonable, current patent policies often fail to incorporate ethical constraints.
  • Existing policies can exacerbate negative impacts in developing nations, contradicting ethical considerations of property and use.
  • A key objection to ethical patent reform is identified and addressed.

Conclusions:

  • Current genetically engineered seed (GES) patent policies require revision to incorporate Lockean ethical constraints.
  • Reformed policies should aim to mitigate negative societal impacts and promote equitable access and benefit-sharing.
  • Concrete suggestions are provided for the ethical implementation of GES patent reforms.