Abstract
Design and technology education aims to prepare young people for living in a rapidly changing technological society which will involve them in making many value judgements, some with complex ethical dimensions. Key aspects of the ethical judgements in relation to genetic engineering are examined: the hidden assumptions, the inevitable unpredictability when dealing with living processes highly interactive with the surroundings, the commercial and political pressures, and the underlying `world-views' and values. It is argued that responsible judgements therefore require wide consultation, sensitivity to social, cultural and moral issues, acknowledgement of the political and economic context, and above all, critical reflection on the beliefs and commitments that are shaping the vision and the drive.
Teaching and learning strategies are needed that highlight the social and environmental context of technological activity, that encourage pupils to consider what determines the quality of their own lives and those of others, and that stimulates reflection on the values and beliefs which influence the priorities when value judgements are being made.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Allison, Y.: 1999, 'Product Evaluation: Do the Values Young Children Attach to Packaging Affect their Sensory Evaluation of a Food Product and Impair their Objectivity?', The Journal of Design and Technology Education 4(1), 28-31.
Appleyard, B.: 1999, Brave New Worlds, Harper Collins, London.
Bingle, W. H. & Gaskell, P. J.: 1994, 'Scientific Literacy for Decision Making and the Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge', Science Education 78(2), 185-201.
Bruce, D. & A.: 1998, Engineering Genesis, Earthscan, London.
Christie, M. J.: 1991, 'Aboriginal Science for the Ecologically Sustainable Future', Australian Science Teachers' Journal 37(1), 26-31.
Corner House: 1998, Food? Health? Hope? Genetic Engineering and World Hunger, Briefing 10, The Corner House, Sturminster Newton, Dorset.
Corner House: 1999, If Cloning is the Answer, What was the Question?, Briefing 16, The Corner House, Sturminster Newton, Dorset.
Department for Education (DfE): 1995, Design and Technology in the National Curriculum, HMSO, London.
Department for Education and Employment (DfEE): 1995, Looking at Values through Products and Applications, DfEE, London.
Design and Technology Association (DATA): 1997, Guidance Notes: Exploring Value Judgements in Design and Technology, DATA, Wellesbourne.
Design and Technology Association (DATA): January 1999, Datanews.
Development Education Centre [Birmingham]: 1997, Changing Technology-Exploring Issues with Students at KS3 and 4 (photopack), DEC, Birmingham.
Dreyfus, A. & Wals, A. E. J.: 1998, 'The Socio-Scientific Dispute Character of Environmental Education', Environmental Education Online Colloquium, Environment Canada. URL: http://www.ec.gc.ca/eco/education/Papers/wals.htm.
ESCR Global Environment Change Programme: 1999, The Politics of GM Food: Risk, Science and Public Trust, Special Briefing No. 5, University of Sussex.
Grant, G.: 1986, Technology and Justice, Anansi Press, Ontario.
Hulbert, A. (ed.): 1997, Drawing the Line: The Ethics of Biotechnology, Occasional Paper No. 5, Ecumenical Association for Church and Society, Brussels.
Human Genetics Advisory Commission: 1998, Cloning Issues in Reproduction, Science and Medicine: a Consultation Document, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, London.
Hynes, H. P.: 1989, Reconstructing Babylon. Essays on Women and Technology, Earthscan, London.
Intermediate Technology Poster: 1998, Food for Life, Intermediate Technology, London.
Intermediate Technology: 1999, Live Well, Live Wisely, Intermediate Technology, London.
Kimbell, R.: 1999, 'Coming of Age', The Journal of Design and Technology Education 4(1), DATA.
Layton, D.: 1992, 'Values in Design and Technology', in C. Budgett-Meakin (ed.), Make the Future Work 3, Longman, London.
Layton, D.: 1993, Technology' Challenge to Science Education, Open University Press.
Millar, R. & Osborne, J. (ed.): 1998, Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future, King' College, London.
Nuffield Design and Technology Project: 1995, Students' Book, Longman, London.
Parkes, M. & Chair of the National Curriculum Design & Technology Working Group: 1988, Interim Report, Department of Education and Science, London.
Panel for Education for Sustainable Development: 1998, Education for Sustainable Development in the Schools Sector, Council for Environmental Education, Development Education Association, RSPB and WWF-UK, London.
Pitt, J.: 1999, 'Teaching What' Really Important Through D & T', Nuffield upDaTe 3(5), Nuffield Design & Technology Project, London.
Prime, G. M.: 1993, 'Values in Technology: Approaches to Learning', Design & Technology Teaching 26(1), DATA/Trentham Books.
Rasmussen, L. L.: 1996, Earth Community, Earth Ethics, World Council of Churches, Geneva.
Rifkin, J.: 1998, 'should We Patent Life?' Business Ethics, March/April.
Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (SCCC): 1996, Technology Education in Scottish Schools, SCCC, Dundee.
Simpson MP, A., Hildyard, N. & Sexton, S.: 1997, No Patents on Life! Briefing 1. The Corner House, Dorset.
Society, Religion and Technology Project: 1999, SRT Bulletin 18, Society, Religion and Technology Project, Edinburgh.
Walker, S.: 1999, 'How the Other Half Lives-Product Design, Sustainability and the Human Spirit', IDATER99, Department of Design and Technology, Loughborough University.
Wynne, B.: 1999, 'Bitter Fruits: The Issue of GM Crops is Too Important to Leave to Science Alone', Guardian Science, 16 September, S2-3.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Conway, R. Ethical Judgements in Genetic Engineering: The Implications for Technology Education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education 10, 239–254 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008964405014
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008964405014