Ethical Perspectives of Scientific Persuasions

Abstract

"This presentation discusses scientists’ bioethical responsibilities with the outcomes of two meetings, the Asilomar 1975-recombinant DNA (rDNA)-conference and the Bt-brinjal-2010-meeting attended by the ScientificApex Body of India, the National Academies. The aim is to find whether the Bt-brinjal (a genetically modified brinjal [egg plant]) situation was discussed under the same diligent scientific-guidance as it was done in case of Asilomar-Conference-1975. If not, what was missing at the Indian meeting and is needed to be done before Btbrinjal can be used for human-consumption? The Asilomar-Conference was aimed to consider whether to lift a moratorium (set in 1973) on rDNAresearch. The meeting concluded that rDNA-research should proceed under strict guidelines. These guidelines were set and later published by the National-Institute-ofHealth-USA."