Bioprospecting microbial biodiversity for sustainable futures: An ethics of exploitation?

Abstract

Bioprospecting is the systematic searching for genetic or biochemical information in nature for some
useful purpose. We review ethical issues bioprospecting and examine novel practices of bioprospecting
in microbial biodiversity. Combining consideration from engineering ethics and environmental ethics,
we outline a heuristic checklist for moral justifiability of a microbial bioprospecting. The checklist
consists of a Precautionary Principle, a Biocentric Principle of Proportionality, and a Lockean Proviso.

Keywords

biocentrism; Lockean proviso; precautionary principle

Published in

Title: EurSafe2024 Proceedings : Back to the future - Sustainable innovations for ethical food production and consumption
Publisher: Brill

Conference

EurSafe2024, Back to the future: Sustainable innovations for ethical food production and consumption, September 11-14, 2024, Ede, The Netherlands

SLU Authors

• Sandin, Per

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ethics
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004715509_069
• eISBN: 978-90-04-71550-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132848