https://doi.org/10.4081/mem.2011.155

Ecologia, natura e tecnologia nelle responsabilità umane* Riflessioni a proposito della cosiddetta "biologia sintetica"

Vol. 60 No. 5 (2011)
Published: October 30, 2011
Biologia sintetica, ecologia, evoluzione della specie, responsabilità della ricerca / Synthetic biology, ecology, evolution of the species, research responsibility
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Authors

Adriano Bompiani
pfaraone@rm.unicatt.it
Presidente Onorario del Comitato Nazionale per la Bioetica, Italy.
L'autore esamina brevemente i concetti di natura, materia, "cosa" nel corso della storia dell'uomo rilevando la graduale perdita della "sacralità" attribuita alla natura mano a mano che si sviluppa la conoscenza scientifica della struttura e delle modalità di origine delle "cose" stesse. Descritti gli effetti che tale evoluzione ha prodotto sulla biologia ad opera della tecnica (definita da Tommaso d'Aquino come rapporto fra manualità e ragione, specifico naturale dell'uomo) si sofferma ad illustrare l'importanza crescente dell'ecologia, alla quale tuttavia si contrappone una sempre più spinta tendenza manipolatoria dell'esistente. Ciò avviene - ad esempio - in taluni progetti di realizzazione di entità organiche elementari dotate di capacità riproduttiva non esistenti in natura mediante moduli di DNA (biologia c.d. "sintetica"). Discute infine le applicazioni pratiche di alcuni programmi, l'impatto sulla ecologia, il quadro etico-giuridico in situazione di incertezza e timore per i risultati. Controllo democratico dei programmi, applicazione del principio di precauzione e adeguata formazione degli operatori sono sollecitati dall'opinione pubblica, ma fondamentale è l'esercizio della responsabilità dei ricercatori.
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The author briefly analyses the concepts of nature, matter, "thing" during human history, noting the gradual loss of "sacredness" of nature once scientific knowledge of origins is increased. More, he illustrates the growing importance of ecology, against which a more manipulative tendency is opposed, for example within some projects for the realization of elementary organic entities with non natural reproductive capacity by DNA modules (the so called "synthetic" biology). Finally, he debates around the practical applications of some programs, the impact on ecology, legal and ethical framework within uncertain and dangerous situations concerning with the results. Public opinion demands democratic control of the programs, application of the precautionary principle and adequate training for operators, but research responsibility is fundamental.

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How to Cite

Bompiani, A. (2011). Ecologia, natura e tecnologia nelle responsabilità umane* Riflessioni a proposito della cosiddetta "biologia sintetica". Medicina E Morale, 60(5). https://doi.org/10.4081/mem.2011.155

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