Ethical Issues in Genetic Change

HSC Biology | Study Notes

Ethical issues in genetic change are a key part of NSW Biology Stage 6, Module 6, Genetic Change. This topic matters because the Module 6 syllabus specifically includes analysing the social implications and ethical uses of biotechnology, evaluating the potential benefits for society of research using genetic technologies, and interpreting how social, economic and cultural contexts influence biotechnologies. HSC materials also repeatedly frame this topic around benefits, environmental risks, ethical concerns and impacts on society.   

In this lesson

• ethical issues in human applications of genetic technologies

• environmental concerns linked to biotechnology

• how food production raises ethical questions

• how decisions about genetic change are made

• why balanced evaluation matters

  
  

Why ethics matters in genetic change

Genetic technologies can produce major benefits, but they can also raise difficult questions.

These questions are often about:

• safety

• fairness

• access

• environmental impact

• quality of life

• who gets to decide how the technology is used

In Module 6, students are expected to evaluate both the benefits and the ethical or social implications of biotechnology, not just describe the science.  

Human applications

Genetic technologies used in humans can offer important medical benefits.

Examples of human applications

These may include:

• insulin production using recombinant DNA technology

• gene therapy

• genetic testing

• embryo screening

• medical devices or treatments linked to biotechnology

HSC marking guidance uses insulin production and disease control technologies as examples of benefits to society, including better access to treatment, improved life expectancy and improved quality of life. 

Ethical issues in human applications

Human uses of genetic technologies can raise questions such as:

• Who should have access to the technology?

• Is it fair if only some people can afford it?

• Could the technology cause stress or anxiety?

• Could genetic information be misused?

A Year 12 problem set on Huntington’s disease gives examples of these issues. It notes that genetic screening can help people plan financially and personally for disease, but may also cause stress and anxiety, and could affect employment prospects if others access the information. It also notes ethical distress around rejecting embryos after pre-implantation testing. 

Environmental concerns

Biotechnology can also affect the environment.

Why environmental concerns matter

When genetic technologies are used in agriculture or natural systems, they may change:

• food webs

• species interactions

• the gene pool of populations

• biodiversity

The syllabus specifically includes evaluating the changes to the Earth’s biodiversity due to genetic techniques and evaluating the effect on biodiversity of using biotechnology in agriculture.  

Examples of environmental concerns

Environmental concerns may include:

• reduced biodiversity if one modified variety becomes dominant

• reduced genetic variation if only a few breeding lines are used

• possible environmental risks from introducing modified organisms

HSC marking guidance explicitly lists environmental risks among arguments against genetic technologies. 

A Year 12 problem set explains that genetically modified cotton or strawberries may initially increase biodiversity by introducing new genes, but if one new variety becomes the only one widely grown, biodiversity may eventually be reduced. 

Food production

Genetic change is often used to improve food production.

Why this can be beneficial

Biotechnology in food production can:

• increase crop yield

• improve disease resistance

• reduce crop loss

• increase food supply

A 2024 HSC marking guideline gives examples such as Bt corn and hybrid dairy cows, noting benefits like more food production, greater milk availability, better farmer profits and improved quality of life for farmers. 

Why food production still raises ethical issues

Even when food production improves, ethical questions remain:

• Is access to improved seeds or breeding technology fair?

• Does the technology reduce biodiversity?

• Does increasing production affect animal welfare?

• Are long-term environmental effects fully understood?

The 2024 HSC marking guideline notes that Bt corn seeds must be purchased each season, which creates inequalities in access, and that selecting dairy cows for greater milk yield may decrease fertility and affect quality of life for the cows. 

Decision-making

Ethical decision-making in genetic change is about balancing benefits and risks.

What good decision-making considers

A strong decision should consider:

• scientific evidence

• likely benefits

• possible harms

• environmental impact

• social fairness

• economic access

• ethical concerns

Why balance matters

A technology may be scientifically effective but still raise ethical concerns. For example:

• it may help many people medically

• but increase inequality in access

• or improve food production

• but reduce biodiversity or animal welfare

The syllabus specifically asks students to interpret how social, economic and cultural contexts influence biotechnology. 

Benefits and concerns together

A good Module 6 answer usually shows both sides.

Possible benefits

• improved medical treatment

• increased food production

• improved disease resistance

• higher quality of life

• increased efficiency in agriculture

Possible concerns

• ethical distress

• inequality of access

• environmental risks

• biodiversity reduction

• unintended health effects

HSC marking guidance directly lists unintended health effects, environmental risks and ethical concerns as arguments against genetic technologies. 

Worked example

Exam-style question

Explain one ethical issue linked to genetic technologies in food production.

Worked answer

One ethical issue is fairness of access. Some genetically modified crop seeds must be purchased each season, while traditional seeds may be reused. This can create inequality because farmers with fewer resources may have less access to the technology and its economic benefits. 

Why this works

This answer:

• identifies a clear ethical issue

• links it to a specific biotechnology example

• explains why it matters for society

Common mistakes

• Writing only about benefits and ignoring ethical concerns.

• Treating all genetic technologies as either completely good or completely bad.

• Forgetting to include environmental effects when discussing ethics.

• Discussing opinions without linking them to a real example.

• Ignoring social and economic fairness in decision-making.

Quick quiz

1. Why do genetic technologies raise ethical issues?

2. Give one ethical issue linked to human genetic technologies.

3. Give one environmental concern linked to biotechnology.

4. Why can food production technologies raise questions about fairness?

5. What should be considered in ethical decision-making about genetic change?

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