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Exploring Bioethics - NIH Office of Science Education - National ...

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1Module 6Modifying the Natural World:Human Responsibilities toward Animals2Four Key Questionsto AlwaysAsk Yourself• What is the ethical question?• What are the relevant facts?• Who or what could be affected by the way thequestion gets resolved?• What are the relevant ethical considerations?Ethical Considerations Relevant to This Module*Respect**Harms and Benefits• Do animals deserve respect? If so, whattype <strong>of</strong> respect do they deserve?• Are there certain types <strong>of</strong> changes ormodifications that we should not make toanimals? Why?• Should human benefits always outweighanimal harms?• Is there a less harmful alternative?See theIntroductionFor more information about thefour key questions, see theIntroduction, page 5.See Module 1Students are introduced to thefour key questions and ethicalconsiderations in Module 1.Modules 2–6 assume this priorknowledge. We strongly recommendthat you complete Module 1first with your students, beforestarting any <strong>of</strong> the other modules.34FairnessIntrinsic Value• Can companies or individuals patent modificationsto life forms and limit the ability <strong>of</strong> others to usethem (by charging fees or requiring permission)?• Do animals have value in their own right, orare they valuable only as they are useful tohuman beings?5Responsibility(Stewardship)• What should our responsibilities be towardanimals?• What are some responsible policy approachesfor handling the harms and uncertaintyinherent in modifying animals?*Bold items are emphasized in this module.** The ethical consideration respect for persons is expanded in this module to include respect for the natural world.6-16

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