Conduct research and select a news story. Throughout your studies, you have been exposed to many moral theories. You have probably agreed with some and disagreed with others. In this assignment, you have the opportunity to explore some of these theories more fully by applying the theories to a contemporary issue. Using the Internet or a local newspaper, select a recent news story that involves a contemporary moral issue. Examples might include, but are not limited to:
the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, animal rights, climate change, immigration, or genetic engineering. Once you have chosen your news story, analyze it from the perspective of at least two different moral theories.
One possible news story that can be analyzed through different moral theories is the controversy surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. GMOs are plants or animals that have undergone genetic engineering to introduce specific traits, such as resistance to pests or herbicides. This technology has been met with both enthusiasm and concern.
From a utilitarian perspective, the use of GMOs can be justified by the potential benefits they offer. Utilitarianism is a moral theory that posits that an action is morally right if it maximizes overall happiness or wellbeing for the greatest number of people. In the case of GMOs, proponents argue that they can increase agricultural yields, reduce the need for chemical pesticides, and help alleviate world hunger.
By increasing crop yields, GMOs have the potential to feed a growing global population. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. In order to meet this growing demand, significant advancements in agriculture will be necessary. GMOs offer a promising solution to this problem.
Furthermore, GMOs have the potential to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, which can have negative environmental and health effects. By engineering crops to resist pests, farmers can reduce or eliminate the need for pesticide application. This can lead to a decrease in pesticide-related illnesses, as well as a decrease in the presence of these chemicals in the environment.
However, critics of GMOs argue that their use poses potential risks to human health and the environment. From a deontological perspective, which is a moral theory that focuses on the inherent nature of actions rather than their consequences, the use of GMOs can be seen as morally wrong due to the violation of certain ethical principles.
For instance, some argue that altering the genetic makeup of organisms goes against the principle of respect for autonomy and the natural order. They believe that it is ethically problematic to manipulate the genetic material of plants and animals for human benefit. This view is often rooted in concerns about the unknown long-term effects of GMOs on human health and the environment.
Additionally, from a virtue ethics perspective, the use of GMOs may be seen as problematic due to the potential harm it can cause to ecosystems. Virtue ethics is a moral theory that focuses on the development of moral character and the cultivation of virtues. Some argue that the cultivation of genetically modified crops can disrupt ecosystems, as genes from these crops can potentially spread to other organisms through cross-pollination. This can have unintended consequences, such as the creation of superweeds or the disruption of natural habitats.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding GMOs provides an opportunity to apply different moral theories to a contemporary issue. From a utilitarian perspective, the potential benefits of GMOs, such as increased yields and reduced pesticide use, justify their use. However, from a deontological perspective, concerns about violating ethical principles and uncertainty about long-term effects raise moral concerns. Moreover, from a virtue ethics perspective, the potential harm to ecosystems is a significant consideration. Analyzing the use of GMOs through different moral theories allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the ethical complexities involved in this controversial issue.