Ethical Issues in Biotechnology — Mains Questions

Critically examine the ethical dilemmas posed by CRISPR-Cas9 technology, particularly in the context of human germline editing. What regulatory challenges does it present for India?

Biopiracy is a significant ethical concern for biodiversity-rich nations like India. Discuss how the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and international frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol address these concerns. What are the persistent challenges?

You are a member of an ethics committee tasked with evaluating a proposal for a clinical trial involving a novel gene therapy for a rare genetic disorder. The therapy shows promising results in animal models but carries potential long-term, irreversible side effects that are not fully understood. The patients are children, and their parents are desperate for a cure. How would you approach this situation, considering ethical principles and regulatory guidelines? (GS-4 Ethics Case Study)