Environmental Ethics - for iPad/Mac/PC: Recent Episodes
The Open University
To what extent does Man have a right to exploit nature in order to live? Do animals have rights? Should we modify the genes of crops if it allows us to increase production, and even alleviate poverty? This album explores the arguments for and against genetically-modified crops, hearing the views of a dairy farmer competing in the global market, a GM scientist, an activist who believes GM crops are unsustainable, and an organic cultivator. The various views reveal how the debate is made complex by differing worldviews and global politics, and academic Ruth Chadwick provides an ethicist's perspective. This material forms part of The Open University course T861 Environmental ethics.
Transcript -- A scientist explains why he views genetically modified crops as a benign technology.
A campaigner explains her biocentric worldview and how this affects her stance on GM crops.
Transcript -- A campaigner explains her biocentric worldview and how this affects her stance on GM crops.
An organic farmer explains why organic cultivation is the best alternative to modifying the genetics of crops.
Transcript -- An organic farmer explains why organic cultivation is the best alternative to modifying the genetics of crops.