etHical questions on new biotecHnologies

Abstract

New biotechnologies reproduce more and more elementary structures of theliving by transforming or rebuilding them artificially at the scale of thenanometer. Thus synthetic chromosomes of bacteries and eukaryotic structuresare produced and introduced into “natural” living cells. This paper presents themajor ethical issues of these new nano-biotechnologies in terms of: (i)benefits/risks balance for health, biosafety and biosecurity; (ii) questioninggoals of researches; (iii) renewal of artificial/natural dialectics; (iv) newrelations to living and life and (v) social impact. The conclusion emphasizes theneed for critical ethical vigilance during all research activities on newbiotechnologies, as well as education on the subject of ethics for scientists.