Abstract
This paper argues that the new biotechnologies will affect the natural environment primarily in two ways: by bringing relatively “wild” areas, such as forests and estuaries, under domestication, and by forcing areas now domesticated, such as farms, out of production, because of surpluses. The problem of the safety of biotechnology—the risk of some inadvertent side-effect—seems almost trivial in relation to the social and economic implications of these intentional uses. The paper proposes that we should be more concerned about the successful uses of biotechnology than about the possible mishaps or failures.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Additional information
Mark Sagoff is Senior Research Associate and Acting Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland. His book,The Economy of the Earth: Philosophy, Law and the Environment (Cambridge University Press, 1988), deals with normative and conceptual issues in environmental law. Sagoff's work in ethical issues in biotechnology has received support from the National Science Foundation.
A Longer version of this paper will appear inAssessing Ecological Risks of Biotechnology to be edited by Lev Ginzberg and published by Butterworth. An earlier version was presented at a conference arranged by the Environmental Law Section of the American Bar Association. In writing this essay, the author received support from the National Science EVS Program, Grant No. BBS 8619104, and from the Maryland Sea Grant Program. The views are those of the author only and not necessarily those of any funding agency.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sagoff, M. Biotechnology and the environment: What is at risk?. Agric Hum Values 5, 26–35 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02217657
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02217657