Ethical considerations

As with most scientific research, there are ethical (as well as legal and social) implications associated with some of the developments in plant genomics. Many of these surround the production of transgenic crops (genetically modified organisms).

- Who benefits, and will those who need it the most have access?
- Are GM foods and other products safe for humans and the environment?
- How will these technologies affect the dependence of developing nations on the West?
- Who (if anyone) owns genes and other pieces of DNA?
- Will patenting DNA sequences limit their accessibility and development into useful products?