- 期刊
生物技術對倫理、法律與社會的影響及妥善的因應策略
The ELSI Issues Derivatived from Biotechnology Developments and the Appropriate Strategies in Response
摘要
自美國國家基因組計畫主持人詹姆斯•華森(James Watson)在受命主持的記者會上指出，該計畫3%的經費將用來支持平行進行的「倫理、法律與社會意涵」（Ethical，Legal and Social Implications；簡稱為ELSI）以來，世界主要先進國家在推動生物技術研究之過程也紛紛投入資源於這些議題之研究。在歐盟此方面的研究被稱為ELSA(Ethical Legal and Social Aspects)；日本則同樣以ELSI稱之。至於在社會大眾部份，則隨著生物技術的快速發展，一方面因各種高度新聞性的生技應用不當問題而對於生物技術的可能負面影響，日益感到不安；另一方面，則又對於生技產品可能帶來人類解決饑餓問題之選擇，以及基因醫藥帶給人提升公共衛生福祉之希望，也同時帶動資本市場之套利風潮，而有所期盼。在這些複雜的情緒與環境因素影響下，如何發現科學的真實？如何進行科學與人文議題間的對話？如何尋求專業與社會大眾間的妥善溝通？如何推動社會教育追求社會的共識並了解共識之真諦？如何避免劣質的政治經濟操作造成無可回復的損害？如何充分發揮科技的正面價值以造福人類並將可能的負面因素降至最低？這些已經都是ELSI研究先驅工作推動者所深刻體會而已然積極面對或正戮力以赴者。 本文的撰寫正在於接續這些ELSI先驅者的精神與關懷，希望能在國內許多精采的研究成果上，擷取出一些個人心得，以作為各界先進之參考。或許這些可能是禁不起歷史檢驗的觀點，然則就階段性的需求來看，或許同樣有其必要吧！本文主要區分為三大部分；即國際間之相關研究與對應、我國面臨之問題以及妥適之對應三者。
並列摘要
Ever since Dr. James Watson, the leader of US National Genome Sequence Research Project announced, in a kick-off press conference, that 3% of the budget would be appropriated for the parallel research titled by ”Ethical, Legal and Social Implications” (ELSI), the ELSI research had become popular for most of the industrial countries. Substantial amount of the research resources have been allocated for such purposes globally. In European Union, it was named by ”Ethical Legal and Social Aspects” (ELSA), while in Japan, the ”ELSI” was taken. The general public, accompanying with the fast development of biotechnology, affected by media's disclosure concerning the possible misapplication of biotechnology, might feel disturbed. On the other hand, the public might be anxious for the potential benefits of biotechnology in regard to the providing of alternative for solving starvation, the hope of increasing the welfare of public health and the wish to abridge for the financial benefits, and etc. Influenced by such a sophisticated feeling and environment as well, how to find out the scientific truth; how to pursue an interdisciplinary communication between science and humanity; how to seek for a rational dialogue between professional elites and general public; how to promote the required social education so as to reach a consensus and, in the meanwhile, enable the public to understand the meaning of consensus; how to avoid the downward trend of awkward political economy interferences and its incurring detriments; how to promote the positive value of biotechnology and, in the meantime, minimize its negative effects; all these issues have been deeply percept and diligently studies by ELSI research pioneers. It's been this author's purpose trying to succeed from the spirit and concerns contributed by those ELSI research pioneers and, further, trying to extract some of the personal findings out of several remarkable ELSI research works produced in Taiwan. With these, this author wishes to contribute in the area as references for our society's future needs. All this author's opinions might not be able to survive historical review in the future. However, the works might turn out to be the required studies to satisfy the temporary needs. Three topics are included in this paper; including ”the related international studies and approaches concerning the issues,” ”the major problems we are encountering,” and ”the appropriate strategy to deal with the issues.”