Felix Thiele - Böcker

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-tech- scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned with the sci- tific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for indiv- ual and societal life and for the natural environment. The main focus is the exa- nation of mid- and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natur- and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. As an independent scientific institution, the Europaische Akademie pursues a dialogue with politics and society. The work of the Europaische Akademie is mainly conducted by temporary int- disciplinary project teams that develop recommendations for al long-term reliable science and technology policy. Above that, the Europaische Akademie organises international conferences on timely issues that are connected to its research p- gramme. The present volume aims at attracting attention to moral problems caused by the globalisation of medicine and the life-sciences. Finding acceptable and re- able solutions for these bioethical problems will to a large extent determine the quality of our living together in an increasingly small world.

Recent scientific advances have made it possible to produce biopharmaceuticals in genetically modified plants and animals, such as maize, tobacco, goats, and chickens. This new branch of biotechnology is termed pharming, composed of the terms pharmaceuticals and farming. Pharming constitutes an overlap of red and green biotechnology. It offers the prospect of a quicker, cheaper, and more flexible production of biopharmaceuticals compared with current production processes. This is a promising perspective in light of the rapidly growing market of biopharmaceuticals, although the economic competitiveness of pharming remains to be proven. Besides possible benefits for producers, patients and health care systems, pharming also raises a number of complex ecological, social, moral and legal questions that have as yet not been thoroughly discussed. The present book contains the findings of an interdisciplinary research project that has addressed a large range of questions associated with pharming: An analysis of the state-of-the-art of plant pharming and animal pharming technologies is followed by an assessment of environmental risks related to pharming and welfare risks for pharming animals. Public views and attitudes to pharming are investigated on the basis of a comprehensive survey in 15 countries. Moreover, ethical and legal questions, posed by present and foreseeable future practices of pharming, are analysed. The concluding chapter presents the authors’ main findings and recommendations, addressed to science, industry, politics and general public interested in the chances and risks of this upcoming field of biotechnology.

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-tech- scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned with the sci- tific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for indiv- ual and societal life and for the natural environment. The main focus is the exa- nation of mid- and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natur- and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. As an independent scientific institution, the Europaische Akademie pursues a dialogue with politics and society. The work of the Europaische Akademie is mainly conducted by temporary int- disciplinary project teams that develop recommendations for al long-term reliable science and technology policy. Above that, the Europaische Akademie organises international conferences on timely issues that are connected to its research p- gramme. The present volume aims at attracting attention to moral problems caused by the globalisation of medicine and the life-sciences. Finding acceptable and re- able solutions for these bioethical problems will to a large extent determine the quality of our living together in an increasingly small world.

Recent scientific advances have made it possible to produce biopharmaceuticals in genetically modified plants and animals, such as maize, tobacco, goats, and chickens. This new branch of biotechnology is termed pharming, composed of the terms pharmaceuticals and farming. Pharming constitutes an overlap of red and green biotechnology. It offers the prospect of a quicker, cheaper, and more flexible production of biopharmaceuticals compared with current production processes. This is a promising perspective in light of the rapidly growing market of biopharmaceuticals, although the economic competitiveness of pharming remains to be proven. Besides possible benefits for producers, patients and health care systems, pharming also raises a number of complex ecological, social, moral and legal questions that have as yet not been thoroughly discussed. The present book contains the findings of an interdisciplinary research project that has addressed a large range of questions associated with pharming: An analysis of the state-of-the-art of plant pharming and animal pharming technologies is followed by an assessment of environmental risks related to pharming and welfare risks for pharming animals. Public views and attitudes to pharming are investigated on the basis of a comprehensive survey in 15 countries. Moreover, ethical and legal questions, posed by present and foreseeable future practices of pharming, are analysed. The concluding chapter presents the authors’ main findings and recommendations, addressed to science, industry, politics and general public interested in the chances and risks of this upcoming field of biotechnology.