Commercialization

• Author: Maureen A. McTeer
• Pages: 44-44

44 *

PART

TWO:

Commercialization

In

Part

One we saw the

power

of

reproductive

technologies

to

create, genetically manipulate,

and

alter human

life

in the

laboratory.

In

Part

Two we

will look

at how

genetic tech-

nologies, including genetic testing, raise

the

promise

of

cures

to

disease

and

fears

both about discrimination

on the

basis

of

disability

and

invasions

of

personal privacy

as the

human genome

is

revealed

and

genetic engineering tech-

nologies

are

perfected.

Into this

mix

come

the

controversial issues raised

by the

commercialization

of

research

and the

patenting

of

life

forms.

Should

the

human body,

its

parts,

and

processes

be

treated

as

property?

Can

they

be

patented, bought,

and

sold

like

any

other product

on the

market?

Is a

human embryo

really

no

different

than

any

other object, such

as a

table

or a

car,

which

we can own and

dispose

of at

will?

Finally,

biotechnology

is one of the

engines that will

provide

future

economic growth

to

Canada's agricultural,

food,

and

drug

sectors.

How can we

ensure

the

safety

of

our

food supply

and

earn

the

public's trust

in

genetically

modified

foods?

How can we

make

the

voices

of

concerned

Canadians heard

in all

these

decisions? Part

Two

tackles

some

of

these questions.