Opinions
It is DANSK BIOTEK's opinion that the modern biotechnology holds great promises of promoting people's health and support a sustainable development of the production in agriculture and similar areas. Hence, it will be unethical to let these great possibilities remain unexploited.
However, DANSK BIOTEK is aware of the potential ethical issues certain uses of the biotechnology can arise. Therefore, ethical considerations are always a part of the process, when the members of DANSK BIOTEK decide upon development, production, and marketing of new products in their companies.
Gene therapy
It is DANSK BIOTEK's opinion that gene therapy can be developed into a very important form of treatment for a large number of diseases, which currently have little or no means of effective therapy or cure.
It is DANSK BIOTEK's opinion that gene therapy should be deployed through well-established safety and regulatory systems, providing a safe and preferably reversible regulation/dosing of the therapy and through viruses, cells or other technology which is not rejected nor causes unwanted side effects.
Gene therapy on somatic cells does not differ ethically from other therapies.
Gene diagnostics
DANSK BIOTEK has a positive opinion towards gene diagnostics, although aware that it might give rise to ethical dilemmas. Therefore, it is DANSK BIOTEK's opinion that it should be up to the individual, in close dialogue with the health authorities, to decide whether to subdue to a concrete diagnostic examination. Likewise, it must be up to the medical professionals to decide whether or not to offer the concrete analyses.
Patents on genes
The members of DANSK BIOTEK are all dependent on the intellectual rights on biotechnological inventions and an international harmonization of the patenting rules.
DANSK BIOTEK is in favour of patenting DNA segments, to the extend that a description of the function and use of the segment is included in the patent.
Stem cells
DANSK BIOTEK supports the use of human embryonic stem cells in research and development of therapeutical cells for the treatment of diseases.
DANSK BIOTEK supports that leftover embryos from in vitro fertilization, otherwise destined for destruction, can be used in research aimed towards curing diseases.
Cloning
DANSK BIOTEK is against reproductive cloning of humans regardless of where and under which circumstances. DANSK BIOTEK acknowledges that therapeutic cloning can be a valuable tool in controlling and fighting diseases. Therapeutic cloning should only take place after authorization from the relevant authorities.
Use of experimental animals
DANSK BIOTEK finds that the use of experimental animals is justified as long as the purpose is development and approval of drugs and as long as alternative methods are not available. DANSK BIOTEK would like to emphasize that unnecessary suffering should be avoided, e.g. through the use of anesthetics. The experimental animals should furthermore have reasonable conditions, including a reasonable amount of space.
The number of experimental animals should be kept to a minimum by developing alternative in vitro methods and by increased acceptance of these alternative methods by the authorities.
It is DANSK BIOTEK's opinion that the use of experimental animals in the development of cosmetic luxury products should be banned.
Genetically modified organisms in agriculture
DANSK BIOTEK finds that the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in agriculture has great potential benefits for the environment and the society.
DANSK BIOTEK further finds that refraining from using this technology can be unethical to the extend that GMO in agriculture can increase the nutritional- and general health condition of the population - not least in the developing countries.
DANSK BIOTEK supports that Danish and European authorities continue with thorough safety evaluations of every single plant, before permissions are granted for farming and sales. However, DANSK BIOTEK does not support a general ban.
Genetically modified materials in food
The modern biotechnology opens up for possibilities of developing crops, which can be used to produce food with a more ideal composition of nutrients, vitamins and fibers. The technology also makes it possible to develop useful bacterial cultures capable of ensuring the freshness of the food, and to develop enzymes capable of optimizing the use of raw materials and replace unwanted chemicals in the food.
DANSK BIOTEK and its members participate actively in the public debate about genetically modified foods and informs openly about its own products and technologies.
DANSK BIOTEK acknowledges the consumer's rights to concrete and relevant information, including relevant labeling of the food based on the modern biotechnological production.
Biodiversity
DANSK BIOTEK recommends that the RIO-declaration be followed and that the worlds biodiversity is protected to the widest possible extend.
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